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The world of professional boxing has featured countless great fights over the years, but it has also featured infinitely more rumors of potential fights. A day does not go by where Fighter X is not rumored to being planning a fight with Fighter Y or Z. Due to the relative independent nature of each fighter, rumors swirl as much to generate leverage in negotiations as anything else.
One of the latest rumors has Floyd Mayweather, Jr. considering a May 5 fight with GIlroy-based Robert Guerrero. Mayweather locked in a May 5 date at the MGM Grand and although he was sentenced to jail time recently, the 90-day sentence was pushed back to allow for Mayweather to fight on May 5.
Everybody wants to see Mayweather-Pacquiao, but there remain plenty of hurdles for that fight. If that fight does not take place, Guerrero is one of a short list of opponents who could fill the spot. No rumor can really be believed at this point given boxing history. As recently as January 7, Canelo Alvarez was expected to fill the spot. Two days later, Guerrero was suddenly in final negotiations.
There is some confusion over why exactly Mayweather would fight Guerrero, as Guerrero is not remotely as big a name as some of the options out there. Guerrero's manager, Bob Santos, took some time to discuss the possible fight with BoxingScene.com and why he thought his man was worthy of this shot:
"There's no doubt about it. Robert has done everything he can do, in my opinion, inside the ring. He's won multiple world championships in multiple divisions. He's undefeated in world title fights. He's went overseas to beat champions on their home turf. Then couple that with the things he's dealt with outside the ring and I think it's going to be a tremendous pay-per-view once he gets on 24/7 or goes on CNN with Piers Morgan.
Look, Floyd's going to sell what he's going to sell. He's going to do X amount of buys regardless of if he fights the ice cream man. That being said, when people see that Robert's won multiple world championships and undefeated in title fights, and see the story behind him and the person he is in and outside of the ring, I think that's what's going to appeal to the guy in the softball league or the soccer mom."
Well, alright then, I suppose. The folks at Bad Left Hook took a more detailed look at some of Santos' claims. Given how quickly today's rumors end up in tomorrow's garbage bin, we'll see if this develops any legs.