Liam Smith vs Jessie Vargas February 5 fight is off
Jessie Vargas' two-year ring absence is going to be extended
On Wednesday, January 12, it was revealed that former two-weight world champion Jessie Vargas(29-3-2, 11KOs) is out of his February 5 super-welterweight showdown with Liverpool's Liam Smith (30-3-1, 17KOs), due to testing positive for COVID-19.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom boxing, tweeted: "Despite being well, @jessievargas_ has tested positive for Covid and there will be a small delay to his Feb 5th fight with @LiamBeefySmith – There will be a further announcement of the new date in due course."
Vargas was looking to rebound from his last loss to Mikey Garcia with this 12-round showdown with former WBO World super-welterweight champion Smith, but that will have to wait a little bit longer following the disappointing news.
The 32-year-old hasn't fought since February 2020 and now that hiatus will be stretched even further to over two years.
"Beefy" has been far more active with two fights last year, including a controversial hometown decision against Russia's Magomed Kurbanov, followed by a spectacular performance against Anthony Fowler, who was in the eighth round back in October.
It's not been the best start to the year for British boxing, with the BBBofC suspending all January events, forcing Chris Eubank Jr. vs Liam Williams to be postponed; then Callum Johnson contracted COVID and was forced to withdraw from his January 15 world title bid to WBO light-heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr.; and now 'Beefy' has suffered from this latest delay.
Fortunately, Eddie Hearn has already confirmed they are working on fixing a new date, which wil be announced in due course.
Predictions for Jessie Vargas vs Liam Smith
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