Jonathan González-Gerardo Zapata Title Clash Now Off
A WBO light flyweight title bout between Jonathan González (27-3-1, 14 KOs, 1 NC) and Gerardo Zapata (14-1-1, 5 KOs) set for Oct. 27 has now been cancelled. The remainder of the event, which takes place at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua, Nicaragua, will go ahead as scheduled on ESPN+. González withdrew himself from the event due to illness.
“Jonathan [González] currently has a cough and a fever,” said promoter Felix Zabala Jr. to The Ring. “We don’t know if it’s a cold or if it’s COVID. The doctors are running tests on him and we will find out.”
This is the second time this year that González has withdrew from an event. A case of pneumonia forced the cancellation of a light flyweight unification bout with Kenshiro Teraji on April 8. González was originally slated to face Leyman Benavides on Oct. 27, only for Benavides to withdraw and be replaced by Zapata.
For now, the event has a new headliner. A 108-pound clash between Rene Santiago (11-3, 8 KOs) and Kevin Vivas (7-0, 2 KOs) is now the main event. The winner of this bout has an opportunity to face González later on.
“The winner of the fight between Santiago and Vivas will have to face González within 180 days,” said Zabala. “If González chooses not to fight the winner, then the winner of the Santiago-Vivas fight will become the full titleholder at 108 pounds for the WBO.”
Full fight card
Despite the cancellation of González-Zapata, the full fight card will still go ahead. Here is the full televised portion according to a press release:
In a six-round female light flyweight contest, Eveling Ortega (5-4, 2 KOs) looks to increase her winning streak to five against Costa Rica’s Silvia Duran (3-1, 2 KOs).
Welterweight prospect Harvin “Manimal” Aguirre (8-0, 6 KOs) steps up against Israel Lopez (11-3-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
Honduras-born light flyweight Gerardo Sanchez (8-1, 5 KOs) hopes to end the unbeaten run of Peru’s Eduardo Ajito (11-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
According to BoxRec, a six-round clash between Alex Vallecillo (4-0, 4 KOs) and Christian Jimenez (5-0, 4 KOs) will also take place. A four-rounder between Michael Carmona (3-0, 1 KO) and Miguel Tercero (0-2, 0 KOs) is also on the card.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
