Ex-World Champion Jessie Vargas Pulls Out of DAZN Bout
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (January 13th, 2022)– Jessie Vargas, the Former World Boxing Association World Super Lightweight champion Jessie Vargas, who was scheduled to return after 24 months of inactivity at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 5, 2022, against Liverpool’s Liam Smith, has tested positive for COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus, and has been forced to pull out of his anticipated junior middleweight comeback main event bout on DAZN.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, January 11, 2022, by promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.
Vargas, “The Pride of Las Vegas”, 29-3-2 with 11 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada, the former World Boxing Association Super Lightweight and World Boxing Organisation World Welterweight champion is 1-1-2 in his last four bouts. Smith, 30-3-1 with 17 knockouts, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, is represented by Matchroom Boxing. Smith is 0-3 outside of the UK. Smith is 0-2 against opponents in the United States, including Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and 0-1 against opponents in the Russian Federation.
Still, promoter Hearn could come up with a last minute substitute opponent to keep Smith active, with 23 days before the scheduled bout. That prospect would seem likely in the scheduled venue of Phoenix, Arizona, as British boxing cards are available on February 5, 2022, in Cardiff and Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Middleweights Chris Eubank Jr., Liam Williams, and Female World Middleweight champion Claressa Shields are scheduled to fight at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, on February 5, 2022, and that would seem to be the best card for Liam Smith to be shifted to if another opponent can be found.
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