It will be a battle of former world champions according to Dan Rafael of espn.com when Joel Casamayor battles Robert Guerrero on July 31st as part of the Juan Manuel Marquez – Juan Diaz rematch undercard.
Casamayor-Guerrero, a scheduled 10-rounder at a maximum contract weight of 139 pounds, rounds out the four-fight telecast that will include Marquez-Diaz II, 2009 ESPN.com prospect of the year Daniel Jacobs facing Russia’s Dmitry Pirog for a vacant middleweight title and a lightweight bout between former two-division titlist Jorge Linares and perennial contender Rocky Juarez.
“I made a promise to the ‘Fight Freaks’ that this would be a freak card and I think I’ve delivered that,” Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “I love Casamayor against Guerrero. It’s a big step up for Guerrero and a big opportunity for Casamayor. It’s one of those true crossroads fights. We have Linares-Juarez done and we have Jacobs fighting an undefeated fighter for a world title. I think the rematch of the fight of the year has become more than just that. I think it’s going to be the night of the year.”
“We are finalizing the contract, but we have an agreement by e-mail and have agreed on all the deal points,” Schaefer said.
“Joel is a veteran and he wanted a bigger fight. He wanted Khan,” manager Luis DeCubas Jr. told ESPN.com. “But if it’s not Khan, he’ll fight Guerrero. I think we’re in a different league than Guerrero. Robert is a great young fighter, but he’s never been in there with anyone like Joel. He’s real green. We’ll go through Guerrero first and then we’ll go get Khan or (junior welterweight titleholder Timothy) Bradley, or anyone else.”
“I think to have Linares back [fighting in the U.S.] and fighting a credible opponent like Rocky, I think it’s a big test for Linares, and it’s high noon for Rocky,” Schaefer said. “It’s a very interesting matchup.”