Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to enter the ring with Joe Smith Jr. (27-3, 21 KOs) in a duel scheduled for January 15th. The WBO light heavyweight champion team is now looking for a new contender for this date.
The fight was to be the main event of the Top Rank evening organized in Verona. Smith hasn't entered the ring since April when he won the World Boxing Organization belt. He was supposed to return to the ring in the fall, but then he contracted COVID-19 himself.
Top Rank officials said they have no intention of canceling this boxing night. In the coming days, the American's promoters will try to negotiate a duel with an opponent in the top 15 WBO rankings.