The main event on the opening night of Fight Camp has been called off after Conor Benn failed a COVID test.
Benn was supposed to be facing Mexico’s Adrian Granados in a welterweight fight on the first of three shows in the back garden of Matchroom headquarters in Brentwood, Essex.
But Benn is understood to have produced a positive lateral flow test when he arrived at the fight hotel on Thursday morning, causing the fight to be scrapped. The main event will now by the WBA “regular” featherweight title fight between Can Xu and Leigh Wood.
Eddie Hearn broke the news on Thursday lunchtime on Twitter ahead of the press conference.
"Breaking and slightly disappointing news, Conor Benn has failed a COVID test this morning for his upcoming fight with Adrian Granados,” he said.
"We're conducting further PCR tests, but he will be off the card on Saturday night, but luckily it's a stacked card from top to bottom.
"Avnyi Yildrim versus Jack Cullen will now be moved from ‘before the bell’ to the main broadcast and the world championship fight between Can Xu and Leigh Wood will now headline week one."
It is a blow to what was Matchroom’s first UK show since signing a new broadcast deal with DAZN.
Benn will have to self-isolate but, if he passes a PCR test, which are more accurate, it is possible the fight could be moved to a later Fight Camp show.
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