Four World Title Fights & Kovalev vs Barrera card Cancelled
The coronavirus (COVID-19) effect is running wild throughout all sports and is only picking up more steam. Since the first announcement of cancelled sporting events, the domino effect has everyone taking a hit. At least by now, the sports world is all but used to the flow of bad news.
Golden Boy Promotions seem to be in the line of fire again after cancelling their event featuring WBA “Gold” titlist Vergil Ortiz Jr (15-0, 15ko bout with Samuel Vargas (31-5-2, 14ko). It seems they can’t catch a break, as here we are again. The April 25 event featuring the return of former unified light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-4-1 29ko) squaring off against former title contender Sullivan “Sully” Barrera (22-3, 14ko) has been cancelled.
This was a huge meaningful fight for both combatants. At this point in their careers, a loss for either fighter would surely close off any future title opportunity. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The undercard was loaded with four world title bouts.
WBO Junior Middleweight champion Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22ko) was set to defend his title against former WBA “regular” champion Brian Castano (16-0, 12ko). The former WBA champion was seeking a rematch with former champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara after fighting to a draw in their first meeting back March 2019. However, things fell apart when the WBA stripped him of the belt.
Oh wait, there’s more! Both champion brothers IBF Junior Flyweight Felix Alvarado (35-2, 30ko), WBA “regular” Junior lightweight Rene Alvarado (32-8, 21ko) and finally WBC Minimumweight champion Wanheng Menayothin (54-0, 18ko) also had bouts.
This is a huge disappointment for the more unknown champions on the card. Being billed on such a big main event would have been beneficial for their careers. However, this news, although it is bad, it feels like there could be more to come.
Again, boxing is behind on points in the first half of this fight. Hopefully, the sport will have enough to mount some offense in the second half.
By: Garrisson Bland
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