Jose Pedraza-Mikkel LesPierre fight off after LesPierre's manager Jose Tavares test positive for COVID-19

By
STEVE KIM via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
via
June 18, 2020, 12:59 PM ET
2 min read

Thursday night's Top Rank on ESPN main event between junior welterweights Jose Pedraza, and Mikkel LesPierre has been canceled after LesPierre's manager, Josie Tavares, tested positive for COVID-19.

"The bottom line is the manager tested positive for COVID after the weigh-in yesterday," Brad Jacobs, chief operating officer for Top Rank, tells ESPN on Thursday morning. "He was negative when he [was] tested when he arrived here on the 14th. The protocols were set, it calls for any team member that's been in close contact with the fighter, [if they test positive], the team's got to go."

A 10-round junior lightweight bout between blue-chip prospect Gabe Flores Jr. and Josec Ruiz has been elevated to the main event.

During the first week of fights at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas on Jun 9, Mikaela Mayer was pulled from her fight as she tested positive for the coronavirus.

In situations like this the Top Rank protocol is clearly defined -- anyone that tests positive will be barred, along with the fighter's team, from participating in the event.

"The only area that would be gray is if a test came back indeterminate, where you can't tell one way or the other. They then re-test and you get a result," explains Jacobs.

Thus far, two weeks in, Jacobs says he is satisfied with how their protocols are operating.

"I couldn't be more pleased," he says. "There was a lot of man hours put into preparation for this in front, and it's paying off in dividends, now. The events have been running smoothly, the protocols have been running smoothly, everybody is working on wearing their masks and social distancing. Everything is working according to plan.

"But unfortunately, part of the plan was to address things like this," he continued. "It's for the betterment, the safety and health of everyone involved. It's an unfortunate by product of what we're dealing with."

The Nevada State Athletic Commission put out a statement on the situation: "The Nevada State Athletic Commission does not comment on any medical test results. NSAC protocols in concert with Top Rank's operational plan has proven to be effective and efficient, ensuring the health and safety of all personnel withing the closed system event."