Covid KOs Vlasov, world title fight postponed

Commey-Marinez elevated to the main event

Saturday’s Top Rank on ESPN main event between Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov — for the vacant WBO light heavyweight world title — has been postponed after Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19.

Vlasov said, “I am devastated with the postponement of my world title fight against Joe Smith Jr. I have been following strict protocols, I have done regular testing with negative results, and I have no symptoms. I am well prepared and had an excellent training camp. I look forward to the rescheduling of the fight and the opportunity to display my world class skills.”

The Richard Commey-Jackson Marinez lightweight bout has been elevated to the main event and will headline the ESPN-televised tripleheader beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. In the new co-feature, action star Adam Lopez will defend his NABF featherweight belt in a 10-rounder against former world title challenger Jason Sanchez. The ESPN telecast will open with Toledo heavyweight sensation Jared Anderson (7-0, 7 KOs) against Kingsley Ibeh in a six-rounder.

Undercard bouts, including the professional debut of former U.S. amateur star Troy Isley, will stream live on ESPN+ at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT.

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  • This happened right after a Smith vs Beterbiev unification is being planned for later this year..

  • Vlasov should ask for a re test, a similar case happened to Carlos Cuadras on his fight wit Juan Francisco Estrada, he was re tested by a different lab and was cleared to fight.We never know.

    • Well, the only problem is that a supposed real proper takes quite a few days more. I thought I had the COVID recently, as I had worked on a COVID unit the week before when i started to feel feverish. Some 4 days later really started to feel sick. But when I was tested, I tested negative. I cerntaly had the flu thoughBut yes I wondered about that if I really may have had COVID.

      • Accurate testing is dependent on the following; quality sample taken, timing of illness, competent technician obtaining sample, etc. False positives or negatives are highly possible. This whole process is a work in progress since 2020.

  • This positive test is bullshit. Vlasov is the victim of U.S. politics and their finagling of the covid numbers. It’s a shame, because this was a great scrap all ready to happen before the leftist cabal arose to scuttlebutt progress. That’s what they do, so that’s what they did.

  • I’ve got about as much confidence in the validity of these covid test results as I have in getting the right decision in a boxing match.

  • Such bullshit! Smith originally came from my gym Atlantic-Vets Memorial Boxing Club. Looking forward to seeing it. All for the 99.90% survival rated virus! Vlaslov did all the he was supposed to do and still gets it! Most likely a false positive. This virus is still being lied about. Yes it’s real but fatality numbers are highly skewed. Panic mask are useless to stop viral spread. It’s never going away. Have to really weigh the risks!

  • Wow…. boxing update turns into political finger pointing. SMH

    Let’s stick to boxing. In the past year this has become common place… fights get cancelled.
    Yes, due to the VIRUS.
    It’s not a “left” or “right” issue… it’s a Mother Nature Issue.

    So, be courteous and understanding…. many people have died due to the “hoax virus”…. and if you’re on the other side of that argument, feel free to angrily vent on the appropriate platform.

  • We the boxing fans have pretty much steered clear of politics and the covid story. Perhaps they’ve noticed it, and now they’re messing with us too? Shame. This year should be lining up for some great fights, but we have the c word hanging over us.

  • One of the stupidest thing these organizations do is not recognize the other champions in there ratings. Yet Joe Smith, a good fighter, had lost to Dimitir BIvol for the WBA title. Does it not really make more sense to disqualify him for a title shot in any of the organizations except for the WBAS, at least in the light heavyweight division. Why can’t these organizations, and Associations, and Councils, and Federations, just decide to ask one of the other champs, if the want recognition as champion for there organization, in this case the WBO could go to Berbetiev, or to even Bivol. Smith winning the WBO title, it that hard happened would look rather holly, to call him WORLD CHAMPION.

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