Report: Javier Fortuna likely to fight fill-in Hector Tanajara

Hector Tanajara probably will replace Jorge Linares as the opponent for lightweight contender Javier Fortuna on Aug. 28, BoxingScene.com is reporting.

Linares on Friday had to pull out of the fight at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Tanajara (19-0, 5 KOs) was scheduled to face Mercito Gesta on the Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Samuel Vargas card on July 24, but the fight was canceled the day before when Gesta came down with a bug unrelated the coronavirus.

The handlers of Fortuna (35-2-1, 24 KOs) and Tanajara reportedly are waiting for approval from DAZN, which will stream the show.

Fortuna has won two fights in a row (with one no-contest) since he lost a split decision to then 135-pound titleholder Robert Easter in 2018. The Dominican came in overweight, which precluded him from fighting to the belt.

Tanajara, 23, is coming off arguably his biggest victory, a wide decision over veteran Juan Carlos Burgos in January. Fortuna would be a significant step up for the San Antonio fighter.