Even with two prior postponements, Jonathan Oquendo can’t grow concerned with the threat of history once again repeating itself.

To do so would compromise the months-long self-confidence in his chances of dethroning 130-pound titlist Jamel Herring this weekend. 

The bout is once again back on the docket for this Saturday, live on ESPN+ from MGM Grand Conference Center (“The Bubble”) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The same venue was twice before reserved to host this fight, only for both occasions to get scratched from the schedule due to COVID-19.

“Look, all I know is that we’ve done all the testing and I’ve come out negative every time,” Oquendo (31-6, 19KOs) explained to BoxingScene.com. “Of course, there’s a part of me that will be relieved to finally hear the opening bell. But I never worried about the fight not happening. I signed a contract to fight him and now the fight is on. I can’t wait for [Saturday].”

Long Island’s Herring (21-2, 19KOs) attempts the second defense of his junior lightweight title which he claimed in a clear unanimous decision win over Japan’s Masayuki Ito last May in Kissimmee, Florida. This particular stage of his reign was once reserved for a far more showdown with former two-division champ Carl Frampton (28-2, 15KOs) on the road in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Those plans were thwarted due to travel restrictions and social distancing measures in place with the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead came the opportunity for a voluntary title defense versus Oqunedo, though requiring three tries to cross the finish line.

The original July 2 date was first postponed in late June after Herring tested positive for the infectious disease. It came early enough to where both boxers could break from training camp while awaiting word of reassignment.

Both boxers were inside The Bubble and ready to weigh in by the time news broke of the July 14 date getting postponed, once again due to a surrounding positive test. If there was any silver lining, it’s that it at least gave both sides a taste of on-site quarantine life if only in preparation of this weekend’s affair.

“It was definitely unexpected how the past postponement came about,” admits Oquendo, who has won five of his last six starts. “But I never worried over it. Plus, we now have the experience of living in the bubble and all the testing—and waiting—that comes with it.

“My team and I are all mentally prepared for what to expect this time around. So, I’m grateful for that. We just hope that Herring is as ready for battle as we are this Saturday night.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox