Dickens-Walsh off after positive COVID test

James “Jazza” Dickens’ English featherweight bout against Ryan Walsh scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled after Dickens returned a positive test for COVID-19.

Dickens (29-3, 11 KOs), 29, and Walsh (26-2-2, 12 KOs), 34, were due to meet in the featherweight final of the Golden Contract tournament, run by boxing management and promotional company MTK Global, and set to be streamed live on ESPN+ from Production Park Studios in Wakefield, England.

But Liverpool’s Dickens and trainer Derry Mathews returned positive tests for the virus.

MTK said no other fighters on the bill tested positive, meaning Tyrone McKenna and Ohara Davies face one another in the super lightweight final, Serge Michel and Liam Conroy meet in the light-heavyweight semifinal, plus other bouts.

“MTK Global will continue to monitor the situation as the health and well-being of all involved is our utmost priority,” MTK said in a statement.

“Dickens and his team have immediately left the fight bubble, with the show proceeding with the remaining five fights on the card.”