WBO Junior Lightweight Titlist Jamel Herring is hoping to defend his title in August after being forced to postpone his July 14 title bout against Jonathan Oquendo. Herring was originally supposed to defend his title on July 2 against Oquendo, but the bout was postponed when Herring tested positive for COVID-19. The fight was rescheduled for July 14, but was postponed when Herring tested positive for COVID-19 yet again on July 13.
“I’m actually more bummed out about this for my team because we put in so much work,” Herring said after learning of the test results.
“We even had the extra weeks for the fight after the original date. The main thing is I took time away from my family. But I’m more upset for the people around me. But I feel great,” he added.
We were greatly saddened when @JamelHerring tested positive for COVID-19.
We expect not only him back in the ring in August, but also @RealCFrampton. If they’re both victorious, we will attempt to match them against each other in the fourth quarter of 2020. pic.twitter.com/oFjoYM6j4G
— Bob Arum (@BobArum) July 14, 2020
In the wake of the second positive COVID-19 test, Top Rank is now hopeful that the bout can move forward next month. However, the company will be changing its protocol regarding testing moving forward.
“After talking to doctors and infectious disease specialists, our new guideline will not be to reschedule for sooner than six weeks after a positive test,” Top Rank told ESPN.
If Herring is able to move forward and defeat Oquendo, his camp will look to finalize a bout with two-division champion Carl Frampton for November.
“We know November’s around the corner, and we definitely want to be sharp. He’s gone through the whole camp, he’s done the work. The exercise of going through the fight will be good for his body and his muscle memory,” Herring’s adviser Jerry Casarez said.
