Roger Gutierrez Out For Chris Colbert Defense Due To Covid 19

Yet another title bout is being either postponed or altered by Covid 19. This time it’s the scheduled WBA Jr. Lightweight title defense of Roger Gutierrez against unbeaten American Chris Colbert that was to have been the main event for Showtime Championship Boxing in two weeks from the Las Vegas strip.

The news of Gutierrez’s status was reported first on social media by Julius Julianis of ESPN Deportes Thursday afternoon,

Me comunica @luismgm54 que el equipo de Roger Gutiérrez (incluido el campeón) ha dado positivo en Covid y se aplaza su combate contra Chris Colbert (previsto para el 26 de febrero por el Mundial superpluma WBA)

La nueva fecha se espera que sea a mediados de abril

— JuliusJulianis (@julianisjulius) February 10, 2022

The tweet translated read,

Roger Gutiérrez’s team (including the champion) has tested positive for Covid and his fight against Chris Colbert is postponed (scheduled for February 26 for the WBA World Super Featherweight Championship). The new date is expected to be in mid-April. 

The 26-3-1 Gutierrez, who hails from Venezuela was to have defended his version of the 130 lb. title for the second time. Both of his previous title fight wins are over Rene Alvarado, whom Gutierrez knocked out in their first meeting in January 2021. And, then, he decisioned Alvarado in the rematch in August.

The 25 year old Brooklyn, NY native Colbert is 16-0, 6 KOs, and was last in the ring in a dominant decision performance against Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar in July 2021.

Later on Thursday, Boxingscene.com’s Jake Donovan reported that Colbert may stay as the headline fighter with a replacement opponent for the Showtime main event. It’s still unknown whom that might be. Part of the motivation is to keep the two prominent undercard fights in tact for Showtime/Premier Boxing Champions.

Gary Antuanne Russell, who has 14 KOs in his 14 pro wins, is still slated to battle former world champion Viktor Postol in a 10-round Super Lightweight bout. And, IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion Jerwin Ancajas, 33-1-2, 23 KOs is to defend his title for the 10th time against unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez in the opener.

The southpaw Ancajas was last in action in April 2021 and got a unanimous 12 round decision over Jonathan Rodriguez.

The fights are slated to be held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas, which would host a significant fight card for the fist time in almost two years, post Covid 19 outbreak.