By Hector Gonzalez: I’m reading a lot of articles dismissing Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero’s chances against Mayweather as it’s being rumored that they will fighting this up coming May 5th, Cinco De Mayo.
These critics dismissing Guerrero are either one of the two, 1.) Mayweather fans, and not true Boxing fans, or 2.) Pacquiao fans, and not true Boxing fans. True boxing fans know that Robert Guerrero has a serious chance. As much as Money May Productions know what they’re doing in accepting a fight with Guerrero, Golden Boy Productions is not stupid, they also know what they’re doing in having Guerrero challenge Mayweather.
The next fighters to invade the 147 division:
I’m going to explain what’s to come of the 147 division as it’s obvious that many people don’t know what’s actualization. First off, boxing fans need to take note to the fact that all the fighters that are being talked about as being top contenders at 147 are not even at 147 yet. Less then a year ago, Victor Ortiz was barely making weight at 140 and as soon as he moved up to 147- he was already the top challenger and sure enough as a heavy underdog he was able to strip Andre Berto of his WBC belt. Lamont Peterson who recently defeated Amir Khan, taking his IBF and WBA belt at 140, is also being considered to be the next serious contender to challenge Pacquiao at 147. Khan, the former IBF and WBA champion is also moving up to 147. Maidana is also moving up 147 from 140 in his next match up with Devone Alexander, Brandon Rios will also be at 147 by the end of the year. So whether you want to except it or not, all the top contenders at 147 are guys that are moving up from 140 to 147… And believe it or not, say want you want, Robert Guerrero who’s moved up from 135, to 140 to now 147 is better then all of the names listed about. By the way, Robert Guerrero is not ‘smaller’ then Mayweather, they are almost identical in size. Guerrero stands at 5’8 feet tall with a 70” inch reach, while Mayweather stands at 5’8 with a 72” reach. Come fight night, Guerrero would actually walk in BIGGER then Mayweather, Guerrero actually has the bigger frame.
I notice a lot of critics commenting on Robert Guerrero not being a credible opponent because his biggest fight was against Michael Katsidis in what was a superb performance by Guerrero, and although superb, the critics say that Katsidis was just not a ‘big name’ to truly make Guerrero a ‘top contender’. Sometimes, its not about what happens in the ring that counts, it’s actually what didn’t happen in the ring that truly matters. Let me explain- It should come to no surprise to boxing fans that Juan Manuel Marquez dodged a fight with Robert Guerrero. Robert Guerrero was the mandatory contender for Marquez at 135lb, and Juan Manuel Marquez dodged a fight with him. It should also come to no surprise that Amir Khan also dodged a fight with Robert Guerrero at 140 who chose to fight Zab Judah instead. When Robert Guerrero was supposed to fight Marcos Maidana last August, Guerrero was the heavy favorite against the guy that KO’d Ortiz. There is a reason for that. If it weren’t for Guerrero’s shoulder injury, Guerrero was well on his way to being the next top contender at 147 anyway.
A business stand point
From a business stand point, it might not make sense to you now, but if you connect all the dots it actually makes a lot of sense. First off, the fight is taking place on Cinco De Mayo—as long as there is a Mexican on the card, the fight is going to sell. Secondly, Mayweather is fighting……. Again, the fight is going to sell. Casual boxing fans need to realize that Mayweather’s biggest pay days are against Mexican fighters on either Cinco De Mayo (May 5th) or Mexican Independence Day (September 16th).
Guerrero might not be the guy that the general public might have wanted to see against Mayweather mostly because the general public is only invested in ‘big names’, but boxing fans need to look at the bigger picture. As much as people want to think that the fight is all about Mayweather, people need to be a bit more intuitive and realize that from Golden Boy’s stand point, it’s not about making Mayweather shine- it’s about making one of their up and coming stars shine. Again, as much as people want to believe that Mayweather is a good business man, so is Golden Boy Productions—they know that they have an opportunity to make one of their own shine.
Manny Pacquiao vs Mayweather
I’m only including this section because I know that in the back of most people’s heads, Pacquiao vs Mayweather, is the fight that most casual boxing fans want to see. Just for the record, having watched both of them fight for years I don’t really find this fight that interesting as I don’t really see their styles matching up to make an entertaining fight. Just for the record, I see the fight being a much more boring version of Marquez vs Pacquiao- but that’s not here nor there.
Let me put it to people like this, even Freddy Roach, has publicly stated- “ If the fight was going to happen, it would have happened already”.
Just to save folks an emotional investment, Bob Arum publicly stated after Marquez vs Pacquiao 3, “ We are currently not interested in a fight with Mayweather”, I repeat, Bob Arum publicly stated after Marquez vs Pacquiao 3, “ We are currently not interested in a fight with Mayweather”.
So just in case you did not catch that, Mayweather vs Pacquiao is not happening anytime soon.
Guerrero makes the most sense
During fight night, Robert Guerrero will walk in with a lot of power. Guerrero’s style is a lot like a south paw version of Juan Manuel Marquez with the exception that Guerrero is a lot stronger and bigger. Great movement, slick, and a great contender puncher.
I hear a lot of people bring up other names to fight Mayweather this year such as Canelo Alvarez, Sergio Martinez or even Miguel Cotto.
Golden Boy does not have to rush Canelo Alvarez at the moment, he’s only 21. He has a lot of great fights ahead of him. Its more prevalent that Robert Guerrero who is 28 to get his name out there then it is for Canelo Alvarez to fight Money May.
In regards to Sergio Martinez- I really feel bad for the guy. I really do, he deserves a big pay day match up. Unfortunately, If Money May who is going to be going to jail in June had to pick an opponent this year besides Manny Pacquiao—it’s a no brainer, it would have to be a Mexican on Cinco De Mayo which again is the biggest pay day for Mayweather.
And lastly, Cotto fights for Top Rank, he is not a Mexican boxer and quiet frankly does not stand a chance against Money May.
Robert Guerrero vs Mayweather is going to be a great fight. Believe it!
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