Robert Guerrero’s fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 4 will go on as planned, according to a joint statement released Thursday afternoon by Team Guerrero, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
The fight is still on even after Guerrero, a born-and-raised Gilroy native who still lives in his hometown, was arrested Thursday morning on gun charges at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Guerrero was arraigned later Thursday on a four-count criminal complaint charging him with one count of criminal possession of a firearm and three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Queens County District Attorney’s office. Guerrero’s next court date is May 14.
“We are very pleased Robert Guerrero was released on his own recognizance this afternoon in the wake of this incident and that he is on his way back to Las Vegas to continue training for his highly anticipated May 4 bout against Mayweather,” the joint statement reads.
Guerrero, who turned 30 on Wednesday, was arrested and charged with illegally traveling with an unloaded pistol and three unloaded high-capacity bullet magazines, according to the Queens County District Attorney’s office.
The weapon, a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber gun, is registered to Guerrero in California, according to Kevin Ryan, director of communications for the Queens County District Attorney’s office. However, the gun is not registered in New York, which is among the toughest states in the country on gun laws.
“I hope that Mr. Guerrero fights better than he thinks,” Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement. “For anyone who hasn’t gotten the message, let me be crystal clear. You cannot bring an unlicensed weapon – loaded or unloaded – into this county or this city. And if you do you will be arrested and face felony charges.”
The news release originally sent out by the Queens County District Attorney’s office said Guerrero could face up to four years in prison if convicted. However, Ryan sent the Gilroy Dispatch an email later Thursday claiming that Guerrero could face up to seven years in prison if convicted. Ryan wrote that possession of the high-capactiy bullet magazine is the “more serious” charge.
Phone messages left with Guerrero publicist Mario Serrano, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe and Golden Boy Promotions were not returned.
Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs) will face pound-for-pound king Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs) for Mayweather’s WBC welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The May 4 fight will be televised on Showtime Pay Per View.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
