By John F. McKenna (McJack)
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KO’s) has been mentioned as one the fighters in contention to fight WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s) on May 5th at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. “Money” Mayweather reserved the MGM Grand for May 5th a couple of months ago, although an opponent had not been named. When the Mayweather camp stated that the venue was reserved for a fight with the “little fella” everyone assumed they were talking about WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquaio (54-3-2, 38 KO’s).
But as is often the case with Floyd he leaves boxing pundits who attempt to figure out his every move guessing. May 5th is Cinco De Mayo day, a Mexican holiday and a date that typically sells very well when there is a popular Mexican fighter on the ticket. For that reason many boxing observers believe that Pacquiao was never seriously considered as a Mayweather opponent for that date, but an effort by Floyd to stay relevant in between fights.
What better way to stay relevant than to reserve an arena with the pretense that it was being reserved for the hottest commodity in boxing Manny Pacquiao”? The dead give away for boxing fans is that Manny’s promoter Top Rank CEO Bob Arum was never contacted before the Mayweather camp made their dramatic announcement that the MGM Grand had been reserved for “the little fella.” The date and venue are always part of the negotiations in any big fight. It’s a no brainer that Pacquiao was never going to be Mayweather’s opponent for May 5th.
Mayweather dismissed Guerrero as his next opponent saying he does not even know who he is. “The Ghost” isn’t buying it, and insists that he has what it takes to hand Floyd the first loss of his career.
Guerrero was quoted by FightSaga.com saying:
“Mayweather does not really want to fight me. He likes to hand pick his opponents. I’m a southpaw who is 5’9, my walk around weight is 152 pounds. I’m bigger than he is. Plus I have incredible punching power in both hands. Most of all, I’ve studied this guy and know him like the back of my hand. I’m the guy that can hurt him and he knows it.”
Guerrero says that Mayweather is not being truthful when he says he does not know who he is, stating that he was the co-feature on one of his Pay Per View (PPV) events. Finally, taking a page out of Mayweather’s own playbook and giving him some of his own medicine, Guerrero was quoted saying: “Step up punk!”
