By James Slater – Exciting, talented and mega-fight-hungry Robert Guerrero, last seen winning a wide decision over Australian warrior Michael Katsidis (in April of last year, “The Ghost” unfortunately being sidelined for a number of months after the big win due to injury; this ruining his scheduled fight with top-rated 140-pounder Marcos Maidana), wanted to face superstar Floyd Mayweather Junior when it was announced that “Money” would be fighting a TBA on May 5th..
The 28-year-old southpaw, 29-1-1(18) had already collected belts at featherweight and super-featherweight, but Guerrero wanted more – much more. Unfortunately for him, Mayweather instead chose to go up a weight himself and challenge WBA 154-pound boss Miguel Cotto on Cinco De Mayo weekend. But all is not lost for Guerrero; as it has been announced by the WBC that the July 28th fight between Guerrero and unbeaten Turkish tough guy Selcuk Aydin, set for San Jose, will contest the WBC 147-pound title that will be vacated by Mayweather.
Actually, Guerrero and Aydin – 23-0(17) and like Guerrero a 28-year-old – will fight for the interim WBC belt. Don Jose explained how his organisation will continue to “support” Mayweather Junior, but that it had no choice but to have him vacate the WBC belt he currently wears due to the fact that Floyd will go to prison (possibly for three months) on June 1st of this year. Of course, it’s highly likely Mayweather will care not one jot about what happens to his green belt (Floyd has won enough titles in his time!), but the news sure is big for Guerrero and Aydin.
But who will become the next (interim) WBC welterweight ruler?
Aydin, known as “Mini-Tyson,” is one hard nut, and he has been waiting for a big fight for a long time. At one point in the running to fight the likes of Luis Collazo and Andre Berto, Aydin believes the big names have avoided him. Guerrero may not be a massive name (apart from to hardcore fight fans who know all about his skills and his ability), but the fight against “The Ghost” will give Aydin the chance to become something of a biggish name himself.
For my money, the July 28th fight is pretty much a 50-50/pick ’em affair. Will Guerrero be as effective up at 147, or is this too much of a jump up in weight for him? Will Aydin, who has raw power, be too strong and powerful for the southpaw?
Neither guy has been stopped and both have a good chin. Aydin, though, has been outboxed at times (see his close points win over Said Ouali in April of 2009 – a fight Aydin told this writer was his career-toughest bout thus far) and some fans will argue that Guerrero is too classy for the German-based Turk. I agree. Aydin has to make this his kind of fight and bully Guerrero and make things physical. If he can do this, Guerrero could be in trouble – especially if the shoulder injury that followed the Katsidis win serves to come back to haunt him.
I think we will get an at times absorbing, very hard-fought 12-rounder in July. I wouldn’t be too surprised if Aydin managed to batter his way to a close, at times ugly, points win – as HE takes Mayweather’s vacated belt.
Will Floyd, when released from his prison term, have any interest in facing the July winner though?