Despite all the hype it created, the bout featuring Jessie Magaldeno and ‘Desert Storm’ Sakaria Lukas was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Top Rank Boxing was looking to have the fight rescheduled.
However, due to the travel restrictions this fight was not possible to make in June or July. March 14th, 2020 was the date when Lukas was scheduled to fight with Magdaleno in New York. It was a WBC world title eliminator and a landmark event for the Namibian former Africa champion.
But the unexpected hit of the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the organizers to cancel the bout. However, Lukas is being scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas at the end of June by Top Rank.
While the fight will be in Las Vegas, the date has yet to be confirmed.
If the fight with Magdaleno had gone ahead as scheduled, he could have enjoyed the great feat of being the first Namibian boxer to step into the boxing arena of the renowned Hulu Theatre, at the Madison Square Garden, New York.
Preparation was at its peak by Thursday 12th March: the promoters counting hours for the commencement of the bout, the fighters fully focused, and the media eagerly waiting for live coverage. But everything went in vain. As the COVID-19 situation further spread and scared governments all over the world to ban all public gatherings including sporting events.
Team Sakaria was holding on to a faint hope that was being communicated by Top Rank, that the show would continue without spectators, but it was finally canceled as the Governor of New York shut down the city.
Global Boxing Stars is the management team of Sakaria Lukas.
The CEO of Global Boxing Stars, Scott Patrick Farrell, stated the following: “Top Rank have already offered me an alternative fight for the 17th of July against IBF world number 7, Ranfi Encarnacion, in an IBF 126lbs world title eliminator, and we are considering this option. However, I am also working on the possibility of rescheduling the Magdaleno fight for August.
“Sakaria is the current ranked number 5 in the world by the IBF, and number 6 in the WBA, and we are all scheduled to be in Las Vegas in early July. I am considering all options carefully and I will announce his USA fight very soon”
Magdaleno has more exposure to the boxing world, than Lukas. He has defeated elite boxers like Rafael Rivera, Rico Ramos, Nonito Donaire, Rey Perez, Erik Ruiz, and Roberto Castaneda.
However, this is the fight that Lukas wants, as he knows this will put him amongst the world’s elite.
“I want this fight; this shot was mine and I want what’s rightfully mine as soon as possible. My manager Scott Farrell is working hard with the Top Rank matchmaker to make this happen. If for now I must go another route in my next fight, then I will. But let it be stated for the record! I want the fight against Magdeleno that was taken from me, and I want my time in the squared circle with him,” Sakaria stated.
–boxingscene.com
