Mayer tests positive for Covid 19 before Top Rank card

One of the prominent fighters slated to participate in the Top Rank Boxing Tuesday night event that will resume the sport in the United States has announced that she’s tested positive for Covid 19.

Unbeaten women’s Super Featherweight contender, Mikaela Mayer, was scheduled to be part of the co-main event in a 10-round fight with Helen Joseph. But, she announced Sunday afternoon on social media that she had tested positive for Coronavirus:

View this post on Instagram

I am heartbroken to report that I will no longer be fighting on Tuesday’s Top Rank card due to a positive result in my COVID-19 test yesterday. It came as a complete surprise. I am currently asymptomatic and am quarantining at an off-site location per recommended guidelines. The rest of my team tested negative and they are all in good health. I was really looking forward to bringing back boxing for all of you and I’m disappointed for myself, my team, my supporters and for my opponent, Helen Joseph, who worked just as hard to be here this week and put on a show for everyone. After two hard back-to-back camps, not being able to step in to the ring both times, you can imagine how disappointed I am. However, these protocols were put into place for a reason and it's more important to care about the health and well being of my team and the people at this event. So I am complying with the rules set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Top Rank to keep everyone safe. I will just have to take a quick break but I will be in the ring soon. I appreciate all the love and support. Please tune in to ESPN on Tuesday night and support the card and all of the fighters. Boxing is back and I'll be back.?? #boxing

A post shared by MIKAELA MAYER (@mikaelamayer) on Jun 7, 2020 at 11:48am PDT

“I am heartbroken to report that I will no longer be fighting on Tuesday’s Top Rank card due to a positive result in my COVID-19 test yesterday. It came as a complete surprise. I am currently asymptomatic and am quarantining at an off-site location per recommended guidelines.”

Mayer continued, “the rest of my team tested negative and they are all in good health. I was really looking forward to bringing back boxing for all of you and I’m disappointed for myself, my team, my supporters and for my opponent, Helen Joseph.”

The 29 year old Mayer is 12-0, 5 KOs, and her fight was scheduled to be part of a six bout card at the MGM Resorts in Las Vegas without fans Tuesday night. The main event is pitting unbeaten WBO men’s Featherweight champ, Shakur Stevenson, in a non-title fight with Puerto Rico’s Felix Caraballo.

Top Rank announced Sunday afternoon that the card is still on, as scheduled, with guidelines and protocols in place from the promotion and the Nevada Athletic Commission on what to do if a fighter tests positive.

Top Rank has a protocol playbook in place, including extensive measures in case of a positive COVID-19 test. Those policies were followed as planned.

We wish Mikaela the best and look forward to seeing her in the ring very soon. https://t.co/RGqPM885jN

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 7, 2020

That falls in line with what Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) had to deal with back in May before their initial fight card was held in Jacksonville, Florida. That’s when one of their fighters, Jacare Souza, tested positive for Coronavirus in advance of the card, as did two of his cornerman. All three had been quarantined from the time they showed up at the Jacksonville hotel and then were sent at home, while the UFC fight went on as scheduled.

Top Rank intends to have multiple fights this month in the same venue, including a second show this week on Thursday, at the MGM facility. This will be the first boxing action to be held in the U.S., since the shutdown of the sport the weekend of March 13th – 15th.