By Jake Donovan
BoxingScene.com has just been informed that undefeated junior lightweight Joan Guzman is set to vacate his WBO title in order to campaign in the lightweight division.
The decision was made by Guzman’s manager, Jose Nunez, after a series of events left the fighter in unfavorable circumstances. Team Guzman has been trying for the past few weeks to expedite the process of the WBO rescheduling his mandatory defense against Alex Arthur.
The bout was originally scheduled for April 26 before being pushed back a week to May 3. The May 3 date was lost after a misunderstanding over the timing of Guzman’s visa being issued. With the WBO and Warren unable to come up with a May date, and now possibly talking July, it was decided that another two months of shrinking down to 130 wasn’t quite worth the effort for a bout that wouldn’t even air in the states.
The decision was that much easier to make once Guzman recently learned of his mother developing a head tumor. It was upon hearing that news that Nunez advised his fighter to break camp and spend time with his mother.
No word on when Guzman plans to return to the ring, or who will be his next opponent. Arthur’s next fight will presumably be for the vacant title sometime this summer.
More to come…
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .
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