Gilroy’s Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero could be heading back into the ring before the calendar turns to 2013 as discussions around a proposed Dec. 15 fight between the WBC interim welterweight titleholder and WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley are taking place, with the only hiccup at this point being a rematch clause in the contract, Guerrero’s co-manager Luis Decubas Jr. said Thursday.
“We are working hard to try to close the fight,” Decubas wrote in an email to the Dispatch. “Only thing holding it up is Bradley’s camp wants a rematch clause – and that’s not happening. It’s champion (versus) champion, and the winner will move forward to fight (Manny Pacquiao) or (Floyd Mayweather Jr.) next year.”
Last week, The Ghost’s name had popped up as a potential challenger to Bradley, who has agreed to the Dec. 15 date.
Decubas said that Top Rank (Bradley’s promoters) and Golden Boy (Guerrero’s promoters) are working through HBO, which is “brokering thedeal and dealing with both sides.”
The bout, which ideally would be a WBC and WBO unification championship clash at 147 pounds, could be held in Miami, Decubas said.
As for the rematch clause, Decubas said Team Guerrero doesn’t see the point considering the fight is between two champions.
“Team Bradley is worried. If not (they) wouldn’t be asking for it,” Decubas said.
Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) was last in the ring July 9 and defeated Pacquiao by split decision – a result heavily disputed by some boxing pundits. Guerrero (30-1-1, 18 KOs) moved up two weight classes to take on No. 1 contender and previously undefeated Selcuk Aydin on July 28. The Ghost won by unanimous decision.
“There’s no question in Team Guerrero’s mind that Robert will come out victorious on Dec.15,” Decubas added. “If Bradley’s team feels the same way (about their fighter), then the fight will definitely happen. We should know more next week.”
