David Peralta is done driving a cab, open to rematch with Ghost

Aug

Photo by: Andy Samuelson/Premier Boxing Champions

When his final achievements are tallied up, Robert Guerrero will be viewed as the guy who fought and lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and many of the generation’s top fighters and was also a two-division world champion. A smaller footnote but one that looms large at the moment will be his hand in allowing David Peralta (26-2-1, 14 knockouts) to give up his day-job as a cab driver.

Following his upset split-decision win against Guerrero (33-5-1, 18 KOs) on Saturday, Peralta’s promoter announced he is dedicating himself fully to boxing, which means his Cinderella back story of driving a cab is now a thing of the past — along with his designation of being a part-time boxer.

“He is no longer a cab driver,” said his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz in a press release on Monday of the welterweight. “David came out of retirement to take this fight when I offered it to him. Now his life will change. He will go back to being a full-time fighter and I will find him another big fight to win.”

The little-known Peralta, 33, had never fought outside of his native Argentina and never against a top-ranked fighter, losing to fellow countrymen Cristian Nestor Romero (16-8-1) and Claudio Alfredo Olmedo (21-3). But against Guerreo, he had little trouble imposing his will and landing a sneaky right hand, even nearly knocking down Guerrero in the ninth round in what likely should have been scored a knockdown since the ropes kept him up even if their legs got tangled. Lewkowicz said he would open for a rematch against Guerrero if he wants it.

“He’s back now and he’ll be in the gym full-time,” the promoter said. “His cab can wait. I will find him a big fight against another top contender and try to get him in line for a world title shot. Or if Robert Guerrero feels like he wants an immediate rematch, we would give it to him. He gave us the chance.”