Light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton will confirm his next fight by the end of the year according to his lawyer Gareth Williams. The comments come after Manny Pacquiao’s manager Bob Arum revealed talks with Hatton were already underway. Speaking to Setanta Sports News Williams insisted that Hatton had become a box office gold in America. “We’re hoping that something can be agreed in principle before the end of the year. What we want to agree in principle is the percentage split of any fight money, be it with [Floyd] Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao..
“The overriding factor will be American TV money. There’s never been a big pay-per-view event outside of America.
“I would stress that Ricky brings as much to the table either of those two.”
Hatton was in Las Vegas to watch Pacquiao destroy Oscar De La Hoya over eight rounds two weeks ago. And Williams revealed that Pacquiao was the fight Hatton wanted next.
“Ricky’s made no secret of the fact that he wants to fight the best. Manny Pacquiao is the man he wants to fight but nothing’s been agreed at all.”
Robert The Ghost Guerrero now a free agent
After a ten month layoff, two-time world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (21-1-1, 15 KO’s), got the good news today from long time lawyer Bruce Zabarauskas of Crowell and Moring LLP, that the California State Athletic Commission ruled in his favor regarding his arbitration case against former promoter Goossen Tutor.
Now a free agent, Guerrero will sit down with this management team of Shelly Finkel and Bob Santos to discuss what promotional company they will choose for representation.
Guerrero whose undefeated in world title fights (4-0, 4 KO’s), is ecstatic about his future while targeting the elite fighters in his respected division. “I’m ready to challenge the best fighters in the world of boxing,” said Guerrero. “Pacquiao, Marquez and Barrera are a few names that come to mind. Now that I’ve moved up in weight, my goal is to capture a third world title in two weight classes.”
While away from the ring, Guerrero looked at this layoff as a blessing in disguise as he went on to say, “This layoff has enabled me to take care of my wife during her battle with cancer. I’ve been able to be by her side as she’s been going through her chemotherapy treatments. I’m happy to say with God’s blessing’s that she is now in remission.”
THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS SIGNS MAURICIO HERRERA
UNBEATEN “EL MAESTRO” RETURNS TO ACTION IN EARLY 2009
Orange, CA, December 17 – Fresh off the biggest win of his young career, an eighth round stoppage of fellow prospect Pavel Miranda in November, junior welterweight Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera is taking the next step in his promising journey to the top by signing a promotional deal with Thompson Boxing Promotions.
“We’ve had our eye on Mauricio since we turned him pro, and with his recent win over Pavel Miranda, there was no question that we needed him on our team,” said Ken Thompson president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “He’s one of California’s brightest prospects, and we believe he has the potential of following in the footsteps of another California junior welterweight who became a world champion, Timothy Bradley.”
“I spoke with Mauricio Herrera about signing with Thompson Boxing Promotions because I know that they are masters at their craft and will keep Mauricio busy with constant fights and will be able to move him up the ranks consistently,” said Willie Silva, Herrera’s manager and trainer.
“When Willie Silva proposed that I sign with Thompson Boxing Promotions, I didn’t hesitate or question it,” added the 28-year old Herrera. “I trust Willie and have fought on Thompson Boxing Promotions cards before, and I knew that this would be the company that can direct my career and grow me into a champion. I am very proud to sign with them.”
A native of Riverside, California, Herrera (8-0, 3 KOs) turned pro in 2007 after a stellar amateur career that saw him win 29 of 30 fights. He has mimicked that success in the pros with eight wins in eight bouts while fighting everywhere from 156 to 140 pounds and beating touted prospects like Daniel Cervantes, Santiago Perez and Alan Velasco. Now settled in at junior welterweight, the slick boxing Herrera is looking to take his career to the next level in 2009.
“I’m focused on boxing and dedicated to my career,” said Herrera, who will be back in action in early-2009. “I’m training and learning every day and I am willing to put in all the hard work necessary to become a world champion one day.