Fight Manager Jose Taveras Tests Positive For Coronavirus, ESPN Main Event Cancelled
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (June 19th, 2020)– The June 18, 2020, scheduled ESPN and ESPN Deportes 10 round main event bout between junior welterweight contenders Mikkel LesPierre and Jose Pedraza at The Bubble, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, was cancelled when LesPierre’s manager, Jose Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Due to the current regulations of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the bout was cancelled because both fighters and their camps came in close proximity contact with each other at the weigh-in, and somebody present subsequently tested positive. The scheduled preliminary 10 round lightweight bout between Gabriel Flores Jr. and Josec Ruiz was elevated to the main event.
Flores, 18-0 with six knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada, won a unanimous 10 round decision over Ruiz, now 21-3-3 with 14 knockouts, Miami, Florida by way of Honduras, knocking him down in the sixth round, and winning by scores of 100-89, 100-89 and 100-89 in the elevated main event.
Top Rank Statement
Pedraza vs. LesPierre Bout Canceled Following Positive COVID-19 Result
Gabriel Flores Jr.—Josec Ruiz elevated to main event (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m. ET)
Tonight’s Top Rank on ESPN main event between Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre has been canceled after LesPierre’s manager, Jose Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this morning. The Gabriel Flores Jr.-Josec Ruiz lightweight bout has been elevated to the main event (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m. ET).
Said LesPierre: “My manager, Jose Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the rules and regulations set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, I will be unable to fight tonight as scheduled against Jose Pedraza. I understand the severity of COVID-19 because I have been working on the front lines of helping treat this virus at Mount Sinai Beth Israel—Petrie Division in Manhattan.
“I am devastated. This was my opportunity to showcase my talent to the world, but everything happens for a reason. This is just another roadblock in my story.
“I apologize to Jose and his team for any inconvenience this caused. He is a great boxer, and I hope we can reschedule the fight as soon as possible.”
Said Taveras: “I apologize for the inconvenience this caused. I am not exhibiting any symptoms. I am looking forward to hopefully rescheduling this fight as soon as possible. I am devastated for Mikkel.”
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