By Michael Collins: You can remove Robert Guerrero’s name as a possible opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his next fight on May 5th. Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions has ruled Guerrero out for that fight, saying to Dan Rafael of ESPN “It’s not going to be Guerrero.”
The options now are down to the following fighters: Saul Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.
Alvarez, 21, would have to be considered the leading candidate to get the fight given that he fights for Golden Boy Promotions and there wouldn’t have to be any of the usual struggles that go on when Golden Boy and Top Rank attempt to do business with each other. Alvarez is Mexican and May 5th, the date that Mayweather has booked the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is Cinco de Mayo. Alvarez is perfect for that date.
One other option that I’m not sure is being explored is for Mayweather to try and get Lamont Peterson if he doesn’t get selected to fight Manny Pacquiao in his next fight. Peterson is one of the four options that Bob Arum is picking for Pacquiao. However, Arum will likely not select Peterson because he’s not well known, doesn’t bring in big money and he’s not a Top Rank fighter.
Cotto would be great for Mayweather but it’s unclear whether Mayweather would want him. He’s never been eager to fight Cotto in the past. This would be a good time to fight the Puerto Rican star because he doesn’t look like the same fighter he was back in 2008.
Guerrero would have been a poor choice for Mayweather considering that he fights at lightweight and would have to move up two entire divisions to make the fight. Moreover, Guerrero has never faced a big name opponent before and is coming off of a serious rotator cuff injury involving his left shoulder.