Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has been hit with reports about the infection of his flamboyant promoter, Eddie Hearn with coronavirus, which has been diagnosed in the Matchroom boss ahead of another bout for one of his wards, megasportsarena.com reports.
Coincidentally, it is a namesake of the Nigerian-born triple belt holder that is heading into the ring round the corner, as Matchroom’s Joshua Buatsi takes on Marko Calic on Sunday, but Hearn has been forced to leave the secure bubble in order not to spread the viral infection.
Joshua’s promoter revealed as much himself, as Hearn disclosed that he left his ward’s camp immediately his positive test result was handed to him, even as he admitted he had been tested regular for COVID-19 like all of his fighters.
He, ironically tested positive few minutes after entering the ‘bubble,’ soon after he played a key role in bringing boxing back to the stadium and television audiences after the pugilists’ sport was suspended due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
Just as US president, Donald Trump was also reported down with coronavirus on Friday, Hearn’s positive result also shook the world of boxing, even as the man who promoted Joshua to global stardom just few years after he won the cruiserweight gold medal at London 2012 Olympics, set about arranging fights in his garden and set up a boxing ring at Matchroom HQ.
Unfortunately, Hearn will not be there this Sunday when Buatsi and Calic clash for the World Boxing Association (WBA) international light heavyweight title at Stadium MK’s Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, but the promoter parried any worries of further spread, as he affirmed that he was the only one that tested positive in the wider camp building up to the fight.
Hearn disclosed via social media: “Gutted to just find out I tested positive for Covid-19 today and have to leave the bubble immediately. Thankfully all other tests were negative. Heading home to rest – catch up tomorrow.”
