Robert Garcia not working Vergil Ortiz Jr’s corner due to COVID-19 precautions

Tonight marks Golden Boy and DAZN’s return to the boxing landscape with Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Samuel Vargas in the main event (live coverage here at 8 pm ET), but Ortiz will be without his lead trainer, Robert Garcia, as Garcia is taking COVID-19 precautions following a positive test, at the direction of CSAC.

“In my initial exam at Fantasy Springs, I tested positive for COVID-19,” said Garcia. “But in my second test in Tustin, Calif., the results were negative. But as a precaution, Golden Boy and I were informed by the CSAC that I cannot attend the event due to their regulations and based off my first test results.”

Garcia isn’t worried about Ortiz (15-0, 15 KO) in the fight, feeling the fighter is well-prepared for Vargas (31-5-2, 14 KO).

“We prepared very well for this fight,” Garcia said. “Basically, we had two training camps to get ready, so I know that that Ortiz will look great tonight. We have to make sure that this event is as safe as possible, so that means decisions like this have to be made. Either way, RGBA will be getting another win tonight, and pretty soon we’ll have a new world champion.”

“I commend the decision made by CSAC,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that this event is safe for every single person involved. Robert Garcia has had an enormous impact in developing Vergil, so we are confident that this young star will take everything he worked on his camp and apply it in the ring. Tonight will be a memorable night for the sport as we demonstrate that good, competitive fights can be made during these difficult times if they are just done right.”