-
Steve KimESPN
Thursday night’s Top Rank on ESPN main event between junior welterweights Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre has been canceled after LesPierre’s manager, Josie Taveras, tested positive for the coronavirus.
“The bottom line is the manager tested positive for COVID after the weigh-in yesterday,” Brad Jacobs, chief operating officer for Top Rank, told ESPN on Thursday morning. “He was negative when he [was] tested when he arrived here on the 14th. The protocols were set, it calls for any team member that’s been in close contact with the fighter, [if they test positive], the team’s got to go.”
A 10-round junior lightweight bout between blue-chip prospect Gabe Flores Jr. and Josec Ruiz has been elevated to the main event in Las Vegas.
“I am devastated,” LesPierre said in a statement. “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.”
“I apologize for the inconvenience this caused,” Taveras said in a statement. “I am not exhibiting any symptoms. I am looking forward to hopefully rescheduling this fight as soon as possible. I am devastated for Mikkel.”
During the first week of fights at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on June 9, Mikaela Mayer was pulled from her fight as she tested positive for the coronavirus.
In situations like this, the Top Rank protocol is clearly defined: Anyone who tests positive will be barred, along with the fighter’s team, from participating in the event.
“The only area that would be gray is if a test came back indeterminate, where you can’t tell one way or the other. They then retest and you get a result,” Jacobs said.
LesPierre worked at a New York hospital before focusing exclusively on preparing for the Pedraza fight.
“Imagine working in a hospital for 3½ months in the middle of the crisis, and you don’t get it — and you still don’t have it — and your fight’s canceled because your manager tests positive,” LesPierre’s promoter, Lou DiBella, told ESPN, adding that they are looking to possibly reschedule the fight for July.
Thus far, two weeks in, Jacobs said he is satisfied with how their protocols are operating.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” he said. “There was a lot of man hours put into preparation for this in front, and it’s paying off in dividends now. The events have been running smoothly, the protocols have been running smoothly, everybody is working on wearing their masks and social distancing. Everything is working according to plan.
“But unfortunately, part of the plan was to address things like this,” he continued. “It’s for the betterment, the safety and health of everyone involved. It’s an unfortunate by product of what we’re dealing with.”
The Nevada State Athletic Commission put out a statement: “The Nevada State Athletic Commission does not comment on any medical test results. NSAC protocols in concert with Top Rank’s operational plan has proven to be effective and efficient, ensuring the health and safety of all personnel within the closed system event.”