WBO light heavyweight champion of the world Joe Smith Jr. has tested positive for COVID-19 and therefore his upcoming world championship bout against Russia’s Umar Salamov has been postponed.
The pair was scheduled to meet on October 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York, but now a new date will have to be announced.
“I was in camp working hard. I am very disappointed that I won’t be able to defend my title in October due to having COVID. When I am better, I will be back in the gym preparing to fight as soon as I can and put on a great show for all my fans,” said Smith Jr.
The 32-year-old champion hasn’t fought since April 2021 when he captured the vacant WBO belt. Salamov, 27, was last seen in action also in April, defeating his fellow countryman Sergey Ekimov.