Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker has reportedly contracted COVID-19, while helping world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury prepare for a title fight against Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas.
Scheduled for July 25, the Fury-Wilder bout has now been officially postponed, after the British fighter contracted the coronavirus. Initial reports suggested three other members of Fury's entourage also tested positive.
Respected boxing journalist Dan Raphael reports Parker is one of those, although Parker has assured Newshub he and his family are "safe and well".
Parker has been in camp with Fury and his team for two weeks, along with new trainer Andy Lee, who helped prepare Fury for his 2020 stoppage win over Wilder.
Lee is another reported to have tested positive for COVID, along with featherweight Isaac Lowe.
ESPN reports Fury has received one vaccine shot, but was awaiting a second, which he was due to receive in coming days.
Fury reportedly has only minor symptoms, but is not permitted to train or box.
While the Wilder bout will be postponed until October, Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn has offered up Dillian Whyte to save the card.
Whyte is the interim WBC heavyweight champion, after recently avenging an earlier loss to Russian Alexander Povetkin.
Fury, 32, was to face fellow Briton Anthony Joshua on August 14 in Saudi Arabia in a world heavyweight unification title fight, but an American arbitrator ordered Fury to fight Wilder again before September 15.
Fury first fought Wilder, 35, to a draw in 2018 and took the WBC title from him in a rematch in February 2020 with a seventh-round stoppage.
Parker, a former WBO champion, last fought Briton Derek Chisora in May, earning a split-decision victory, and was expected to confirm a rematch with his rival, as he seeks another shot at a world title.
