TalkingBoxing Interviews
Guerrero Back From Injury, Ready for All Comers
FRI September 16, JULIUS STECKER - Taking the featherweight division by storm in 2004, NABF champ Robert Guerrero has become one of the hottest prospects in boxing. Guerrero, 15-0, combines the frame of a welterweight and skill of a young aspiring champion.
Late in 2004, 'The Ghost' won the NABF title, defending the crown most recently in April in a hard fought TKO win over Adrian Valdez. Without a moments notice, the hype seemingly stopped, as Guerrero was forced into inactiveness due to injury.
It's official, let the hype for this promising young star begin again. 'The Ghost' is back and it starts tonight when he takes on journeyman Sammy Ventura, 22-14, at the Palace Indian Gaming Center, in Lemoore, CA. TalkingBoxing caught up with the young contender to get his take on the upcoming fight.
“I have been putting in hard work, and I am excited to get back in the ring,” stated Guerrero. “I had a little injury, a hyperextension, but now I am 100%."
The Gilroy, California native suffered a hyperextension hand injury earlier this year, and hampered his progress, but did not hinder the fighting spirit. The injury didn't keep him away from the gym, as he trained extremely hard with the guidance of his respected trainer John Bray.
Bray is known for his attention to detail, and a keen awareness of the fight game. Guerrero has been soaking up the knowledge since day one saying, “I have been working on everything; defense, offense, slipping punches, everything.”
Recently Robert, who is ranked 13th on BoxRec's featherweight computer rankings, even sparred with former world champion Manny Pacquiao. Guerrero claims he more then held his own saying, “he is a very hard puncher if you are in his line of fire. But the key is to stay out his line of fighter, it is hit and don’t be hit.”
With the recent loss of rival, Rocky Juarez, some may think the Robert is disappointed with Juarez’s demise, but the opposite is true. Because both fighters affiliation with manager Shelly Finkel, it would have been highly unlikely that either would have ever met inside the ring. Now it looks as if Guerrero, provided he's successful in this upcoming fight and in December, will get his title shot sooner then expected.
“Hopefully I am fighting for the a world title by early next year.” A win Friday will take the Guerrero one step closer to his life-long goal.
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