Nonito Donaire Provides Proof That Positive COVID-19 Test Was A False Positive
This has been a week for one Nonito Donaire (40-6, 26 KOs). First, he was forced to pull out of a scheduled December 19 bout against former IBF World Bantamweight Champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-1, 12 KOs) for the WBC 118-pound world title due to testing positive for COVID-19. Now the former multidivisional world champion says he is the victim of a false positive test upon subsequent re-test for the virus.
Donaire took to Twitter to disclose the findings from his latest test results. His wife, Rachel, also detailed the entire situation on her Facebook page.
According to Rachel Donaire, she and her husband went through a series of tests through Baker Medical Health on November 25, November, 30, and December 4. During that final test which the family received on December 8, her results came back negative. Although, that was not the case for her husband.
The doctors and the team at Baker Street Health were unwilling to give Nonito a re-test. Frustrated by not receiving any follow-up, the Donaire’s took action of their own.
DETAILING THE WEB OF EVENTS
As Nonito explained on Twitter, and Rachel on her Facebook posts, the family sought a second opinion from Wolfson Medical on December 10 and 11. The entire family was tested and took the measures of even paying for it out of their own pockets. This time, the results came back all negative, including Nonito who took the COVID-19 Qualitative NAAT Test.
The impact of COVID-19 in the boxing community is not just fighter testing positive, but the dicey situation of a boxer also showing up with a false positive test. Precautions must be taken, but this is an unfortunate reality of the world we are dealing with.
It is unsure where Nonito goes from here. He had to pull out of the fight against Rodriguez and was replaced by Reymart Gaballo (23-0, 20 KOs), who will not fight Rodriguez for the WBC ‘Interim’ World Bantamweight title on December 19.
Donaire will likely be forced to undergo a series of tests. Originally scheduled to fight Nordine Oubaali (17-0, 12 KOs) for the WBC world 118-pound belt this month (Oubaali had to withdraw due to also testing positive for COVID-19), we could see that fight take place in 2021.
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the tales of what Nonito Donaire has gone through over the last couple of weeks. Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing for further updates on this developing story.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
