WBO Super Featherweight World champion Jamel Herring has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time and his bout with Jonathan Oquendo tonight is cancelled.
Herring (21-2, 10 KOs) was due to face Oquendo (31-6, 19 KOs) in a rescheduled main event clash inside The Bubble, after their original July 2 fight was postponed due to the 34-year-old testing positive for COVID-19.
However, the former Olympian revealed he had taken an antibody test which came back negative, although the Nevada State Athletic Commission had already postponed the bout.
“I’m extremely disappointed that I’m not going to be able to fight tomorrow night,” Herring said.
“As I’ve shared previously, I tested positive for COVID-19 on June 22 after exhibiting symptoms. I quarantined and recovered as directed by my doctor.
“I then retested on July 3 and my test was negative, so this result is a complete surprise. I was fully prepared to make my second title defense tomorrow night.
These test are 30% faulty… Here’s clearly my timeline of when I contracted the virus, til the time I came back negative. I even woke up today on weight, ready to go, and even took an antibody test this morning to prove I’m fine, but the commission didn’t want to risk it. https://t.co/7Mv3ex0jbo pic.twitter.com/pItpOwq0rA
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) July 13, 2020
“I am hoping that my team and Top Rank can reschedule this fight soon.
“Thank you for all the support everyone has shown. I can’t wait to get back in the ring and perform.”
The Top Rank card will now be headlined by unbeaten Super Featherweight Mikaela Mayer who faces Helen Joseph in another rescheduled clash, after recovering from Coronavirus.
Mayer, (12-0, 5 KOs) who has called for a future clash with WBC champion Terri Harper was set to face Joseph (17-4-2, 10 KOs) on the undercard of Shakur Stevenson’s victory over Felix Carabello on June 8, but was ruled out days before, although she has made a full recovery ahead of tonight’s bout.
In another blow to the bill, the Featherweight fight between Luis Mendelez (8-1, 6 KOs) and Edward Vazquez (7-0, 1 KO) has been abandoned after Mendelez tested positive for Coronavirus.
