Robert Guerrero on Mayweather vs Cotto, Ortiz Challenge

Published Mon Feb 6, 2012, 6:53 AM

Former champion Robert Guerrero (29-1-1, 18KOs) sits down with BoxingScene.com to discuss Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s selection of Miguel Cotto for May 5th, his desire to face Golden Boy stablemate Victor Ortiz, and more.

BoxingScene.com: Were you disappointed that Mayweather didn’t pick you for May 5th?

RG: I really wanted to land the Mayweather fight because I’m always looking for the biggest fights out there, but he chose to go with Miguel Cotto instead, so it’s time to move on. It’s funny because he said he never fights Pacquiao’s leftovers but this will be the second time he’s done it, first Marquez and now Cotto. So you can’t believe anything he says. I think it would have been a better fight when Cotto was in his prime. Cotto is a great champion, but Floyd is getting him at the right time.

BoxingScene.com: So there were a lot of fans on twitter requesting a statement from you about fighting Victor Ortiz. Can you tell our readers what’s on your mind in regards to a fight with Ortiz?

RG: Victor Ortiz had a fight scheduled with Andre Berto, but unfortunately Berto had to pull out do to an injury. The fans on twitter asked me if I would be willing to step up and fight Ortiz. I responded to the fans challenge. I’m here to show the fans that I’m about making the biggest possible fights for them and I’m here to step up. Ortiz is considered one of the best young fighters in the sport and the fans want me to fight him, and I’m about giving the fans what they want. And hopefully Ortiz is too. We shall see.

BoxingScene.com: You’re both promoted by Golden Boy so don’t you think this fight is easy to make?

RG: Yes, I think this fight is real easy to make. Golden Boy is always about putting on the best fights for the fans and the fans deserve this fight. I’ve got a tremendous amount of support from fans worldwide on my twitter account, saying they want to see Guerrero vs. Ortiz. I say let’s do this.

BoxingScene.com: Are you saying you’re willing to move up to 147 and challenge him at welterweight?

RG: Absolutely, I feel I’ll be strong and fast at welterweight. As you can see, Ortiz was a better fighter when he moved up. He didn’t win a title at 140…he captured his first world championship at 147. I’m a multiple world champion with a big frame and I know I’m going to be stronger at 147. I won’t have to diet down as I’ll be fighting at my natural weight. People don’t realize that dieting down to lower weights makes you weaker. Some prime examples are, Oscar, Margarito and Cotto when they fought Pacquiao, the list goes on and on.

BoxingScene.com: Have you gotten any feedback from Ortiz after you challenged him?

RG: I haven’t heard a peep out of him. All I’m seeing is the fans demanding this fight on twitter. Sooner or later these guys are going to have to face me. Let’s go down the list of people who’ve turned down a fight with me. Rocky Juarez, Juan Diaz, Humberto Soto, Chris John, Amir Khan, Juan Manuel Marquez. I give credit to Marcos Maidana for stepping up, but he wouldn’t get in the ring with me unless he was going to get the biggest payday of his career. So I just want to get the facts out there. These guys are avoiding me like the plague.

BoxingScene.com: You seem frustrated, are you?

RG: I can’t lie…it gets very frustrating when none of these guys want to step in the ring with me. I’ve already done everything in boxing. It’s time for that big name fight. Don’t you find it strange no one is calling out my name?

BoxingScene.com: Is there anything you want to say to Victor Ortiz?

RG: Victor, I respect you as a fighter, but if you’re really a true warrior, then you’ll step in the ring with me. Let’s give the fans a fight they’ll remember for years to come.