According to Dan rafael of espn.com, WBA Featherweight champion Chris John is out of Saturday night’s rematch with Rocky Juarez due to a fainting spell that was caused by a blood issue.
“He is out. He has something with the blood that diminishes his capacity as an athlete,” said John’s advisor Sampson Lewkowicz. “I don’t know exactly what it is but he is feeling ill. He went to the doctor and he had a check up and he had a blood test, and something is wrong. I don’t know exactly what it is but the doctor said he can’t train or exercise. He was training, but was feeling fatigued and went to the doctor.”
“He will stay in the States until we get a full and comprehensive treatment,” Lewkowicz said. “It’s a blow for all of us. I hope he will feel better, but he won’t be fighting.”
“This is nothing like hepatitis or HIV or anything,” Lewkowicz said. “It’s something like anemia, like he’s missing oxygen in the blood. When he did his blood test two weeks ago, he was fine. He took this one because he felt ill and they found out something was wrong.”
“I just know Chris John is out and they are looking at some possible replacements,” Said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer, who is promoting the card which is headlined by Victor Ortiz taking on Marcos Maidana, referring to Golden Boy matchmakers Eric Gomez and Robert Diaz. “Our goal is to keep Rocky on the show and have him fight.”