Avenging "Ghost" Guerrero
 By Gabriel Montoya, (June 24, 2006)
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Photos © Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
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Featherweight prospect Robert “ The Ghost ‘ Guerrero (18-1-1 10 Ko’s) won in bleed and cut it out style Friday night as he avenged his sole defeat by knocking out Gamaliel Diaz (20-5 losses (9) at 2:33 of Round 6 in front of a hometown crowd in Oakland, CA., marking the first rematch in ShoBox history. In a rough and tumble NABF title fight, both Diaz and Guerrero gave as well as they got. First it was Guerrero who came out fast stinging Diaz with a long left that caught him on the chin. A few wild flurries later, Diaz would be semi-thrown to the canvas and the ref started counting. Honest mistake.
A long time to go and Guerrero wouldn’t hesitate to press the attack. Another left and Diaz was down again and really in bad shape around the legs. The knockdowns were the first of Diaz’ career and he fought through it well. He tied up and smothered Guerrero’s punches but for the life of him could not see the left coming and ate several more to close an exciting first round. In the next stanza, Guerrero would continue to press the attack and close the distance, ripping hooks and uppercuts to Diaz’ body. By midway through the second, Diaz seemed to have worked his way into the fight and began his own inside attack. Guerrero’s plan to absorb punishment in order to land his power shots slowed him down a bit in the third as Diaz won his first round on my card, landing good right hands and body shots. The next two rounds would seesaw back in forth and each guy tired visibly through the brutal fifth. The tide slowly seemed to be moving in Diaz’ favor as Guerrero, who was beginning to take clean shots to the body and head, seemed frustrated by Diaz’ punch and grab tactics. Both men looked tired at the bell. The fatal round began with Guerrero charging out and trying to take
out Diaz quickly. But Diaz held his ground and counter with lefts to body and hooks upstairs. Even though it was Guerrero who initiated the infighting, it was Diaz who was gradually gaining ground inside until 2:33 of the sixth when Guerrero ripped a right hook upstairs and a wind killing left to the body the crumpled Diaz to the canvas and the had the crowd jumping to their feet. The ref counted unnecessarily. My gut was hurting it looked so painful. After the replays I needed and aspirin.
On the televised portion of the under card Super Middleweight prospects , Andre and Anthony Dirrell made impressive showings vs. unimpressive opposition.
Anthony Dirrell walked down Jabbing James Morrow who felt more like Running James Morrow . Morrow was the first of two opponents who were willingly present to be eaten by young lions. Anthony D showed an intense presence in the ring as they stepped to the center of the ring and Morrow immediately jumped on his bicycle and started pedaling. Dirrell showed a clear and calm aggression, cutting off the ring less than I would like but instead walking straight in and taking whatever shot he wanted. Showing a bit of trickery, Anthony, the right-hander in the family, switched to southpaw and promptly exploded a right hook on the temple of Morrow. Jabbin’ James became Droppin’ James and then Quickly Rising James and it became a matter of time. Backing into the ropes. Dirrell moved in and flurried with lefts and rights to the head that were blocked but succeeded in raising Morrow’s hands. A brutal as you’ll ever see left to the body dropped Morrow to his knees and Jabbin’ James became Moaning in Pain James as the ref counted him out. Anthony moves to 9-0 with 9 big wins coming by way of knockout.
Andre Dirrell, 7-0 (4) was impressive in his use of his fast feet and ripping power. Dirrell kept his distance and showed the patience that a championship level amateur pedigree buys you. His opponent Don Hall appeared to be in slightly better shape than me. If I quit smoking and trained for six weeks, I would have more muscle tone in my body. Easily. That isn’t what you want to match with a former Olympic Bronze medallist who you hope to mold into a champion. Maybe even multi division champion. Yes Andre D looked great. Spectacular body shots, uppercuts from both sides to the ribs crushed and then crumpled poor Don Hall to his feet three times in third. I, as of late, have developed a serious allergy to guys that fight like Roy Jones, Jr. You can’t copy an original. That’s why Elvis impersonators, no matter how good they are or uncanny the resemblance to The King, they ain’t The Hillbilly Cat. Of the prospects voted Most Likely To Get KO’D Over Their Low Lead Hand, Andre Dirrell has the best chance of being the last man standing. He is bit faster and sharper on his punches than his older brother Anthony but shows the same explosive power. I agree with Steve Farhood that the Brothers Dirrell need to step up their fight activity if they want get the kind of experience and exposure that is necessary to build a champion.
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