Linares tested positive of COVID-19 ahead of bout with Fortuna

Jorge Linares, in his quest to challenge for the lightweight title again, was halted today following the developments that he tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of his contest against Javier Fortuna on Friday.

Asian Boxing was the first to report this early this morning and was all over it as the positive test for Linares on Friday.

A statement from Teiken Promotions—Linares’ Tokyo-based co-promoter along with Golden Boy Promotions—revealed that Linares was asymptomatic and suggested there remains hopeful that the test served as a false positive.

“Jorge Linares—who was scheduled for his next fight in Indio, California, USA, tested positive for the new coronavirus,” Teiken noted in an official statement.

“We found out (the results) after a pre-fight test was conducted, while (Linares) continued to make good progress (in the gym). He is healthy and unaware of any symptoms such as fever, (or loss of) taste and smell.”

Teiken announce Jorge Linares has tested positive! https://t.co/0OJ7TwLn7O #news #boxing #asianboxing

— Asian Boxing (@asianboxing) August 7, 2020

Per the report from Asian Boxing, The positive test is the first in Japan where a boxer has had their name made public, it’s the first case in a boxing gym in Tokyo, and it’s caused the Teiken gym to be closed until it’s been cleared to re-open by the local public health center.

No idea on if anyone else additional was named as the privacy laws in Japan, much like the rest of the world keep that names confidential.

As part of privacy laws in Japan people who tested positive weren't being named.

(I mean boxer, there was a sumo wrestler who was named)

— Asian Boxing (@asianboxing) August 7, 2020

The chain reaction of this, of course, with the Linares, 47-5, 28 KOS, testing positive is huge, as its not only his fight with Javier Fortuna in question now for August 28th on DAZN here in the United States, but also other matches, as well, with the boxers who trained at the same gym.

Linares last challenged for the WBA World Title in a TKO loss in May of 2018 to Vasiliy Lomachenko.

SI.com and DAZN’s Chris Mannix tweeted Friday afternoon that the Linares-Fortuna fight is postponed for August 28th:

Jorge Linares has tested positive for COVID-19, per Linares' co-promoter, Teiken. Linares-Javier Fortuna, scheduled for August 28th on @DAZN_USA, is off.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) August 7, 2020

Meanwhile, Asian Boxing followed the Linares positive test news by announcing the pro debut of Reiji Kodama against Munetaka Kihara on August 13th) had been canceled.

Kihara was the only Teiken fighter scheduled before their show on  September 5th.  While the Linares bout may be in jeopardy, Lamont Roach who we spoke to is still on the docket to take on Neil John Tabanao on this same bill.

Just to add a little bit extra on the Linares situation that…you won't see from anyone else. The debut of Reiji Kodama (Vs Munetaka Kihara on August 13th) has been cancelled after today's news.

Kihara was the only Teiken fighter scheduled before the Teiken September 5 show.

— Asian Boxing (@asianboxing) August 7, 2020