Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero is the mandatory challenger to Juan
By Josh Weaver
Sports editor
Manuel Marquez for the WBO lightweight world title.
So why is Marquez continuing to ignore Guerrero?
Following his technical knockout victory over challenger Michael
Katsidis, with the belt on the line Saturday night, Marquez
clamored for a third shot at eight-division world champion Manny
Pacquiao.
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero is the mandatory challenger to Juan
By Josh Weaver
Sports editor
Manuel Marquez for the WBO lightweight world title.
So why is Marquez continuing to ignore Guerrero?
Following his technical knockout victory over challenger Michael Katsidis, with the belt on the line Saturday night, Marquez clamored for a third shot at eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
The two have gone toe-to-toe in the past — boxing to a draw in 2004 and going 12 rounds in an eventual Pacquiao split-decision victory in 2008. Marquez said after Saturday’s fight that Pacquiao is his “priority,” according to Golden Boy Promotions’ Twitter page.
And the promotions company is apparently chomping at the bit for the third encounter, posting a statement from CEO Richard Schafer saying that, in part, if the fight doesn’t happen, “it’s not because of Golden Boy.”
Sure, it’s an encounter boxing fans would eat up. But why is Guerrero so easily passed up in this situation?
Side note: I can see why Twitter has become such an influential medium for us sports writers and sports fans. It’s a waterfall of potential news stories. But I digress.
The Ghost has repeatedly said he is willing to fight anyone, including Pacquiao. Why not make it happen?
The Ghost’s fans span from coast to coast and beyond. Boxing is a business — high stakes and big money. The draw for a Marquez-Guerrero clash may not fill Cowboys Stadium, but it would pack the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Guerrero posted on his Twitter account Monday that he is looking forward to his chance at Marquez if Pacquiao Part III hits a snag, reminding everyone that he is indeed the mandatory lightweight title contender.
Guerrero’s last two fights — dominating unanimous decision wins over a decorated and cagey veteran Joel Casamayor on July 31 and top-tier contender Vicente Escobedo on Nov. 6 — have shown the Gilroy resident is hitting a high point of his career.
Before Guerrero’s bout with Escobedo at the beginning of the month, Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya said the winner of the fight would be in line for a title shot in the early portion of 2011.
Let’s see if that pans out. It should.
Josh Weaver is a sports reporter for South Valley Newspapers and sports editor of the Gilroy Dispatch. He can be reached at: jw*****@sv**********.com
