Mikaela Mayer Tests Positive For COVID-19 Days Before Top Rank On ESPN Fight

Before Top Rank is set to hit the stage with its first U.S. show since the coronavirus pandemic forced fights to be canceled, one of its marquee matchups have been canceled.

Mikaela Mayer, the unbeaten super featherweight contender who was fighting Helen Joseph in the co-main event of the June 9 Top Rank on ESPN show, tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the bout to be canceled. Mayer made the announcement on social media, adding that she is asymptomatic and quarantined in an off-site location.

Below is the full announcement:

I am heartbroken to report that I will no longer be fighting on Tuesday’s Top Rank card due to a positive result in my COVID-19 test yesterday.

It came as a complete surprise. I am currently asymptomatic and am quarantining at an off-site location per recommended guidelines.

The rest of my team tested negative and they are all in good health. I was really looking forward to bringing back boxing for all of you and I’m disappointed for myself, my team, my supporters and for my opponent, Helen Joseph, who worked just as hard to be here this week and put on a show for everyone.

After two hard back-to-back camps, not being able to step in to the ring both times, you can imagine how disappointed I am. However, these protocols were put into place for a reason and it’s more important to care about the health and well being of my team and the people at this event. So I am complying with the rules set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Top Rank to keep everyone safe.

I will just have to take a quick break but I will be in the ring soon. I appreciate all the love and support. Please tune in to ESPN on Tuesday night and support the card and all of the fighters. Boxing is back and I’ll be back.—- #boxing

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I am heartbroken to report that I will no longer be fighting on Tuesday’s Top Rank card due to a positive result in my COVID-19 test yesterday. It came as a complete surprise. I am currently asymptomatic and am quarantining at an off-site location per recommended guidelines. The rest of my team tested negative and they are all in good health. I was really looking forward to bringing back boxing for all of you and I’m disappointed for myself, my team, my supporters and for my opponent, Helen Joseph, who worked just as hard to be here this week and put on a show for everyone. After two hard back-to-back camps, not being able to step in to the ring both times, you can imagine how disappointed I am. However, these protocols were put into place for a reason and it’s more important to care about the health and well being of my team and the people at this event. So I am complying with the rules set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Top Rank to keep everyone safe. I will just have to take a quick break but I will be in the ring soon. I appreciate all the love and support. Please tune in to ESPN on Tuesday night and support the card and all of the fighters. Boxing is back and I’ll be back.—- #boxing

A post shared by MIKAELA MAYER (@mikaelamayer) on Jun 7, 2020 at 11:48am PDT

As of this writing, no other fighters have been shown to have tested positive for COVID-19. The June 9 card will be headlined by WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson moving up to super featherweight to take on Felix Caraballo. Other fights on the card include prospects Jared Anderson, Guido Vianello and Robeisy Ramirez competing in separate fights.

Fightful recently took part in a media conference call discussing the main event of that show and you can check it out at this link.