Jorge Linares tests positive for coronavirus, fight with Javier Fortuna off

Update: The fight is, unsurprisingly, officially off. Fortuna says Golden Boy is “trying to save the date” and that he’s willing to fight whoever’s deemed acceptable.

Teiken Promotions and Japanese media report that three-division champion Jorge Linares has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is currently asymptomatic and will receive a second test after 10 days of rest.

Though neither DAZN nor Golden Boy has commented on the status of his planned August 28th bout with Javier Fortuna, it’s hard to imagine that fight going through as planned. Expect the show to go on with Rashidi Ellis vs. Brad Solomon in the main event unless they can dredge up someone for Fortuna to maul.

As Asian Boxing points out, this positive test could have far-reaching implications. The Teiken gym is now closed “until it’s been cleared to re-open by the local public health center,” putting the September 5th Korakuen Hall show meant to herald the return of televised Japanese boxing in peril if its participants prove unable to train.

Japan is currently in the midst of a COVID resurgence, having broken its daily record of new infections today. Though it’s seeing fewer hospital deaths than many other afflicted regions, this will undoubtedly result in major disruptions going forward.