By Luis Sandoval
When it was reported by BoxingScene that Fernando Guerrero and Gabriel Rosado were possible opponents for newly crowned WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin for his January 19th date at Madison Square Garden, Guerrero made it clear he wanted to be the one to get the call.
On Saturday night after the Robert Guerrero-Andre Berto fight, Guerrero took it back to the old school way of doing things and approached Golovkin and trainer Abel Sanchez who were sitting ringside and asked that they make the fight. I was there and was able to capture it as it went down.
Guerrero shook hands with Golovkin as he told me “We’re to fight. He said it already. We're going to see who hits hardest. He said we're going to fight. They don't need to look for anyone else. I'm here”.
Shortly after, I spoke to Golovkin who said he was willing to face Guerrero or anyone else who wanted a crack at him.
"[Guerrero] tells me he wants the fight with me. Sure why not. I'm here, I'm ready. Let's go. Seriously, it doesn't matter for me. I'm ready. Whoever wants [to fight me]? Okay, [lets fight] in January in New York” said GGG.
While Golovkin is willing to step in the ring with Guerrero to defend his title, trainer Abel Sanchez informs the ultimate decision comes down to HBO and who they decide to approve.
“You know there's a list of them who want to fight him but they don't put their name on the dotted line. And the bottom line is HBO has to approve the fight. Gennady said he'd fight anyone from 154 to 168 but it's a matter of being accepted. It's a matter of HBO accepting it and it being a competitive fight for the public” Abel would tell BoxingScene.
Fernando Guerrero has been rebuilding since his lost to Grady Brewer and feels more than ready for Golovkin and a shot at a world title. He’s adamant about landing this fight and this was another step in getting him closer to making it happen.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @truewest007. You can also tune in to Boxingscene’s official audio show The Boxing Lab every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.