Top Rank- Nevada Commission face another Covid 19 controversy

Controversy continues to grow about the testing system that Top Rank Boxing and the Nevada Athletic Commission are using for the promotions fight series currently going on in Las Vegas.

This after trainer Jose Tavarez was banned last Thursday from the Top Rank “bubble” at the MGM Resort for allegedly testing positive for the Coronavirus . That meant, that his fighter Mikkel LesPierre was not allowed to fight in the lightweight 10 round main event with Jose Pedraza that night.

Now, Tavares has gotten the results of a follow-up test for Covid 19 and it shows that he is negative for the virus according to S i.com:

Jose Tavares, the manager for Mikkel LesPierre, whose positive COVID-19 test forced the cancellation of LesPierre's scheduled fight w/Jose Pedraza, tested negative for virus in a subsequent test, sources told @SInow. Tavares took the test the same day his test came back positive.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 22, 2020

Although Tavares has not released a statement as of Monday afternoon, it’s entirely possible that his case is similar to that of female fighter, Mikaela Mayer. Mayer had her co-main event bout with the Top Rank also canceled, when the Nevada commission said she was positive for Covid-19.

Mayer disputed that positive test and a subsequent second test revealed that she did not have the virus and therefore, was not contagious. Further, she is now medically cleared to come back and fight later in the summer, if it can be arranged.

Top Rank is utilizing stringent guidelines from the Nevada Commission for testing for everyone associated with their fight cards, including sequestering all fighters, trainers and other personnel through their fights at the MGM Grand Convention area.

Tavares had said last Thursday upon learning of his positive test, 

“I apologize for the inconvenience this caused. I am not exhibiting any symptoms. I am looking forward to hopefully rescheduling this fight as soon as possible. I am devastated for Mikkel.”

LesPierre was looking forward to the bout and has experienced this impact of COVID-19 by seeing it first hand on the front line, working for a New York City Hospital. This was clearly an important fight with the former two division world champ, Pedraza after LesPierre had lost by unanimous decision to Maurice Hooker in March of 2019.

It is unclear if  LesPierre and Jose Pedraza will have their fight rescheduled in the short-term by Top Rank. The promotion will have two more fight cards this week featuring the Maloney twins of Australia headlining both on Tuesday night and Thursday night.