The fight between former unified junior middleweight champion Julian ‘J-Rock’ Williams 27-2-1 (16) and Dennis ‘Hurricane’ Hogan 28-3-1 (7) has been postponed after the American tested positive for Covid-19.
The fight was set to take place in the United States on December 26 on a PBC promoted show on Fox Sports but will now be pushed back to late January or early February.
“Williams’ sparring partner tested positive for the virus three days ago, so he had to go and get tested. That came back positive so as of now the fight is off,” Paul Keegan of DDP Sports told Irish-boxing.com.
“Peter Kahn is now working with PBC to get Dennis the best possible outcome. PBC have been great with Dennis and DDP. We have a good working relationship and both fighters want the fight, so it’s very likely to be rescheduled.
“The way it works over there is, Williams will have to come through two negative tests before he can return to camp. With that in mind, you’re talking about late January or early February.”
Australian-based Irishman Hogan, 35, is having his first camp with new trainer and former world champion Wayne McCullough in Las Vegas.
Rather than let the camp go to waste, Team Hogan is looking for a stay busy fight before they jump in the ring with Williams.
“Dennis and Wayne have gelled well together and have had a great camp,” Keegan said. “They are eager for Dennis to get out. Peter (Kahn) has informed PBC and they have been great about it. They are willing to put him on a show, but it all comes down to TV.
“It would be good for Dennis to get out with Wayne, a fight would do no harm. Dennis could then get a short break at home and go back into camp to prepare for a world title eliminator.”
The 30-year-old Williams lost his WBA and IBF 154-pound crowns to Jeison Rosario by fifth-round knockout in Philadelphia in January.
Hogan moved up to middleweight to challenge WBC champion Jermall Charlo in New York in January, losing by seventh-round stoppage. It was his first fight since his hotly disputed majority decision loss to WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia in Mexico in April last year.
The winner of the Williams-Hogan fight is expected to earn a shot at IBF, WBA and WBC champion Jermell Charlo 34-1 (18), who defeated Rosario by eighth-round knockout in September.
“We expect the winner to get Jermell Charlo. If he moves up we expect to get a shot at one of the titles he currently holds.” Keegan said.
