Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that an intriguing Welterweight clash between WBC Interim champion Robert Guerrero and former two time champ Andre Berto will happen on November 24th on HBO.
“We have a deal in place and it’s a great fight, a fight for the fans,” said Guerrero’s co-manager Luis DeCubas Jr on Monday.
“They’re both warriors and known for putting on great fights. Come Nov. 24, there will be a new superstar in boxing, Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero. The sky is the limit for this kid. He’s a million dollar fighter and he will prove why he’s the best 147-pound fighter in the world.
“Robert wanted to fight Bradley (on Dec. 15 on HBO) but Bradley punked out and we moved on to the next best guy, who we think is Andre Berto.”
“I’m excited to be back in there,” Berto told ESPN.com. “I went through a lot in the last year but I had a lot of good people continue to support me and give me encouragement, and then it all got cleared up. It’s time to move forward and get back in the ring. I didn’t care who it was against. I was just looking forward to the challenge.”
“We’re using USADA. They will do extensive drug testing and we will also be tested by the California commission, and we expect Andre Berto to have integrity for the sport and fight clean,” DeCubas said. “Everybody in life makes mistakes and he is getting a second chance.
“We wanted to use VADA, which had contacted Robert, and we looked into that. But Berto’s side wanted to use USADA. Robert is not going to make or break a fight over this. We’ll kick his ass whether it’s VADA, USADA or the California commission doing the testing. If Berto thinks Victor Ortiz roughed him up (in his lone loss) then wait until he fights Robert Guerrero.”
Said Berto, “I’m hyped and I’m motivated. A lot of things happened this year. I learned so much and I’m ready to put everything behind me and work.
“I went through all the testing with the commission. They know it was contamination (that led to the positive test), not enhancement drugs.
“My mind and my heart is real numb to that and I’m ready to move on,” he said.
“This is a kid who is clean inside the ring and outside the ring and if there’s anyone who deserves it it’s Robert Guerrero,” said DeCubas, adding that Guerrero would begin his training camp in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “He’s earned it. He hasn’t been given anything.”
“I was at his fight with Aydin and it was really close to me,” Berto said. “Aydin didn’t really have too much to bring, just that power and pressure. He was one dimensional. I bring a lot more to the table — speed, power, I can box and I can bang it out if I have to. I’m an all-around fighter. It’s gonna be an exciting fight.
“I don’t really think (Guerrero) will bring too much of that power up with him to 147, but at the same time he’s a crafty little southpaw. Aydin was so one dimensional but, at the end of the day, Guerrero got the ‘W.’ That the only thing that matters.”
“Floyd hasn’t defended the title in over a year and he won’t fight Robert, so we expect the WBC to do what’s right by Robert Guerrero and make this fight for the full title,” DeCubas said.