by Brad Cooney
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Recently we had the opportunity to speak with this talented young fighter, speaking about his journey in the boxing world and the future that lays ahead of him. This is what "The Ghost" had to say...
ROBERT "THE GHOST" GUERRERO
Brad Cooney: Robert, what is that latest with you man..
Robert Guerrero: Right now I am just relaxing..waiting to see what is next for me.. I am training 3 time a week right now.. staying in shape until they give me an exact date so I will be ready.
Brad Cooney: Robert, what does your workout routine consist of?
Robert Guerrero: I get up at 5 am.. run for about an hour and a half.. come home, and eat breakfast.. then I go to the gym. I work it out hard man...
Brad Cooney: Ghost, you are known for your ability to knockout people with either hand.. is this something you had to work on, or were you born with the ability to have equal strength in both hands?
Robert Guerrero: It's all natural... to land a solid shot and put them down.. it has to be right on timing..it has to be natural.. if you line up with power to land a shot..it never lands how you want it to.. you have to see it, and everything I throw is with speed.
Brad Cooney: Robert.. what kind of style do you bring into the ring?
Robert Guerrero: I am a boxer puncher.. I can box and punch...
Brad Cooney: Robert, your career is taking to a place where your competition is becoming tougher, and tougher... how far do you feel you are away from a title shot?
Robert Guerrero: I feel that I am ready for a title shot by the end of this year.. or the beginning of next year.. I feel I will be ready by then.
Brad Cooney: Robert, talk about the team that surrounds you... Talk about how important they are to you, and your career.
Robert Guerrero: Well, my dad is my trainer.. I have so much respect for him.. whatever he tells me to do, I do... and I do it hard. We have a good relationship... I have been with my dad forever.. as a kid we hung around too...I built a great deal of respect for my father.. whatever he tells me to do in that corner..I do.. then I have my manager Bob Santos.. he is great.. he has moved me along well.. making all the right moves.. then I got my publicist Mario Serrano.. He puts in hard work man.. he put in double overtime.. The great thing is.. he works just for me.. all his focus is on me..
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Robert Guerrero: Enrique Sanchez... he is tough.. a tough southpaw... it was pretty tough.. I stopped him in the 8th round
Brad Cooney: Robert you got some good rounds in anyway.
Robert Guerrero: Yeah, that is what I loved about the fight.. I got some deep rounds in..
Brad Cooney: Robert, what got you into boxing?
Robert Guerrero: It is a family thing...My dad, my uncle, my grandfather.. all boxed.. my grandfather was a pro fighter too.. but he had too many kids to support, so he got out.. With 11 kids.. that is pretty tough.. (laughing)
Brad Cooney: Robert, how many amateur fights did you have?
Robert Guerrero: (laughing)... I am not sure.. well over 100 though.. I gave up counting...
Brad Cooney: Robert you were the youngest person ever to qualify for the Olympic trials..no?
Robert Guerrero: Yes.. and the deadline fell right on my birthday... so if someone is going to be younger.. they are going to have to beat me by seconds...(laughing)... I was 16 years old It was the first time fighting as an open senior with the big guys.. I lost in the semi's.. The guy I lost to won a bronze medal.. he came up to me and asked "How old are you"... I said 16... The guy was like "what?"..... (laughing)
Brad Cooney: Robert I imagine during your amateur boxing career it was tough to match you up with people after awhile huh?
Robert Guerrero: Oh yeah.. I had to fight the nationals.. that is the only time I could get fights...I couldn't get any fights locally.. . you know, there are not that many kids fighting anymore in the amateurs.. the mothers and fathers would rather have there kids in football or baseball.. im afraid it's dying out..
Brad Cooney: Robert, what was the biggest transition you had to make when you left the amateur level of boxing, and came into the pro level of boxing?
Robert Guerrero: The biggest transition for me was to learn to relax.. in the amateurs you only have like 3 rounds to get busy.. so when you first go pro.. you are still in that mentality...so just sitting on my punches, relaxing, focusing.. learn to creat openings.. all these things I had to work on.. to turn into a true pro...
Brad Cooney: What advice would you give a young boxer about to come out of the amateurs, and into the pro's?
Robert Guerrero: Learn to relax, and keep your composure.. because those gloves are small... just relax... and no headgear in the pros... (laughing)
Brad Cooney: Robert, who do you look up to in the boxing world?
Robert Guerrero: I like to watch old fights... I like Duran, Camacho... those guys ..and also Salvador Sanchez...I love to watch guys who know how to use there feet.
Brad Cooney: Robert, did you get a chance to see the Corrales, Freitas fight ?
Robert Guerrero: Oh yeah.. that was awsome.. I was suprised how Freitas didn't want it no more.. but, with that said.. I do know how hard Corrales punches because I sparred with that guy.. I didn't think Freitas could keep that pace though.. he was dancing and moving fast.. Corrales was hitting him with some nice body shots...
Brad Cooney: Robert.. is there anyone in particular you want next?...
Robert Guerrero: To be the best you have to fight the best.. so I will take whoever ... Pacquaio, Moralles, Barerra...
Brad Cooney: Robert.. you should get in your car and go down to the Wild Card gym, and call out Pac... (laughing)
Robert Guerrero: (laughing).. hey but seriously.. I did some sparring down there.. I sparred with Benn Dunn.. I had a good time with him..
Brad Cooney: Robert.. I really enjoyed the interview.. I appreciate you taking some time out for me.
Robert Guerrero: No problem Brad.. Thank you for doing this... stay in touch.
Email Brad Cooney with comments at bradcooney1@bellsouth.net
A very SPECIAL THANKS to Mario Serrano for helping to make this interview happen with Mr. Guerrero.
