Bryant Jennings has been forced to pull out of his WBC bridgerweight title clash with Oscar Rivas due to his failure to comply with Canadian rules for unvaccinated travellers.
Jennings was due to meet Rivas in Montreal on October 22 in a rematch of their 2019 heavyweight clash which resulted in Jennings getting stopped in the final round.
Canadian government rules dictate that anyone entering the country who hasn’t had a COVID-19 vaccine will have to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days, which Jennings refuses to do.
Jennings took to social media on Sunday to justify his decision, saying “Why not take a test prior to arrival and upon arrival take another test quarantine ‘til results clear and take one more test. What would make me different than the vaccinated at that point?”
Rivas will still fight for the vacant title, however, with his promoter Yvon Michel announcing that they already have a replacement lined up.
“Team Jennings informed us this weekend that Bryant refused to get vaccinated as well as refused Canada’s rule of admission for non-vaccinated travellers, even though it was clear in the contract it was necessary,” he said. “We already found a replacement, a ranked fighter from WBC’s bridgerweight division.
“Oscar Rivas will fight for the vacant WBC bridgerweight title on October 22nd at Olympia de Montreal. More details will come this week.”
Rivas has been out of action since March, when he knocked out Syvera Louis in three rounds, while the bout was due to be Jennings’ first since he lost to Joe Joyce in July 2019.