LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The show goes on, though with one less fight in tow. 

An intriguing matchup between unbeaten prospects Frevian Gonzalez and Bryan Lua will no longer take place this weekend. Lua was forced to withdraw from the scheduled six-round clash of unbeaten junior lightweights after testing positive for COVID-19.

The result was learned on Friday, hours before the official pre-fight weigh-in for this Saturday’s ESPN show from MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Lua claims to have been asymptomatic, although unable to remain on the show given the zero-tolerance policy on positive COVID tests especially during fight week.

“I’m sorry to announce that my fight was cancelled today because I tested positive for COVID,” said Lua prior to leaving the Vegas bubble in compliance with COVID protocol. “I am fine, I have no symptoms and my health is good.”

The remainder of the show will move forward, with now eight fights in total. Headlining the card, defending WBC junior lightweight titlist Miguel Berchelt (38-1, 34KOs) defends versus unbeaten former WBO featherweight title claimant Oscar Valdez (28-0, 22KOs) in one of the most anticipated fights on the current 2021 calendar.

Lua (7-0, 3KOs) was due to make his third consecutive appearance at the MGM bubble. The 23-year old prospect from Madera, California ended a 28-month ring hiatus with a 2nd round knockout over Luis Norambuena last September, followed with a quick turnaround as he outpointed Nelson Colon just three weeks later.

His next assignment will depend on how quickly he can produce a negative test and when Top Rank can squeeze him into the next open slot. For now, not being able to fight on the undercard of Berchelt-Valdez is nearly as disappointing as not being able to get in the ring at all.

“I was more than ready for my fight Saturday night and wanted to put on a show for [the fans],” said Lua. “Unfortunately, these things happen in these crazy times. I will keep you guys posted on my next fight date.

“Good luck to my teammates on Saturday and make sure to tune in to watch a great card.”

Gonzalez (4-0, 1KO) is left off the show in the absence of a late replacement being able to be secured in time. The 20-year old from Cidra, Puerto Rico—a stablemate of former two-division titlist Jose Pedraza—scored a pair of wins on separate Bubble shows in 2020, including a four-round decision over Carlos Marrero in his most recent bout last October 3 on the undercard of Jose Zepeda’s knockout win over Ivan Baranchyk in what was hailed as the 2020 Fight of the Year by BoxingScene.com and nearly every other outlet. 

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