WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring hopes it will be a case of third time lucky when he meets Puerto Rican challenger Jonathan Oquendo at ‘The Bubble’ in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on September 5.
Herring (21-2, 10 KOs) was twice scheduled to have faced Oquendo on July 2 then July 14 before returning positive Covid-19 tests. Both times the fight was postponed, but now, hopefully, the stars have aligned and the fight will finally take place.
“This [second] postponement is a blessing in disguise because I feel 10 times better than I did three weeks ago,” said Herring. “I’m grateful to have another opportunity to get back in the ring. I’ve fully recovered from Covid-19 and I’m more than ready for anything Jonathan Oquendo brings on September 5. Our team has a great game plan and we are eager to carry it out.”
Oquendo (31-6, 19 KOs) added: “I am very happy with finally getting this opportunity to challenge Herring for his world title, as the fight has been cancelled twice because of Covid-19. At one point, I thought that maybe the fight was not going to happen, but thanks to God, we are now ready for September 5.
“We are going to win. We are in a very positive mindset. We are going to leave everything in the ring. It’s now or never. It would be a great accomplishment to become world champion at 37. That’s what we are going to do.”
In the 10-round super middleweight co-feature, Omaha’s unbeaten Steven ‘So Cold’ Nelson takes on Toledo’s DeAndre Ware. The card will stream live on ESPN+ from 7.30pm ET in the US.