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Photo © Julie @ Soulmag.org
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Showtime is at it again, this Friday night December 2nd 11 PM ET/PT the hit boxing series ShoBox: The Generation will feature one of today’s brightest stars when slick southpaw Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero, 16-0-1 (9), faces off against tough Mexican fighter Gamaliel ‘Platano’ Diaz, 19-5-2 (9), for Guerrero’s NABF featherweight title in a twelve round all-out bash at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, CA.
It will be a war!
Diaz is one tough hombre who hasn’t tasted defeat in eighteen fights dating back four years but ‘The Ghost’ isn’t too shabby himself with his elusive style and iron fists that is prone to put his opposition to sleep at the blink of an eye. Robert has electrified his division with his aggressive tactics and in your face jabs setting up the sleepers. The twenty-two year old pugilist is getting better each day and with trainer John Bray he will surely learn more in each outing.
Guerrero earned his NABF featherweight title almost a year ago when he thumped Cesar Figueroa in four rounds. Since that point and time Robert has eliminated Adrian Valdez by 12th round TKO and Sammy Ventura by 1st round KO with his quick speed and handy foot work in his successful title defenses – and ‘The Ghost’ isn’t through haunting the division just yet. Tune in this Friday night December 2nd 11 PM ET/PT to Showtime’s ShoBox: The New Generation to witness this massive showdown. For now read what Robert had to say on his upcoming bout and opponent, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.: First off thank for talking with Doghouse once again man, how has your training been going with John Bray for your upcoming match-up?
Robert Guerrero: It has been going great, the training has been incredible, I am always learning new tactics every time I come out with John Bray and that is what is so great about it, I am not coming out to just get into shape I am coming out and I am learning, I am improving and I have made a lot of progress. It has been going so great and I just can’t wait to get into the ring.
BH: What are your thoughts on your upcoming opponent? His last loss came about four years ago and he seems very hungry to continue his win streak.
RG: Like you said his last fight was four years ago and his confidence level is real high and when a guy has a real high confidence level he is coming to fight. He has been undefeated for four years and you know he is going to be ready and he doesn’t want to lose so it is best to be ready for this guy and be ready to be in a fight because I know he is coming to fight.
BH: What about his style, what can you tell us about his strengths and weaknesses in his style that you feel you can expose and again give you trouble?
RG: The style he brings to the table is that he is typical Mexican fighter that is just rough and tough and who likes to get in there and just get it on with you. There is a lot of flaw there that I have picked up on and we will see what happens, I have am putting in the heard work to be ready and try to capitalize on what I can do.
BH: You seem to have found a home at Lemoore, California, does your fan base and following there give you strength in the ring to want to succeed and entertain more than usual? I guess what I am trying to say is does the Guerrero fans give you that extra push in the ring, are they a big influence?
RG: Yes, I mean other than the Lord the fans are what makes a fighter, and they come to get entertained by what I do and I am going to go in there and do it to my best ability and use all of my God given talents to perform and to excite them and to entertain them.
BH: What about your relationship with Bob Santos, he seems to be more than just a manager, maybe more of a positive influence than anything.
RG: Oh yes, he has been a big impact in my life with the Lord, first and for most our relationship is real strong in the Lord and what is what he and I are always shooting for is getting the Lord’s name out there and use boxing to express our faith and I mean he is a mentor to me and he isn’t just my manager but my best friend. The relationship we have in boxing and in the Lord it is just incredible to have a guy like Bob Santos on your team.
BH: In these past few fights working with John Bray what have you gained as far as his experience with his boxing background?
RG: You name them and John has been in camp with them – Lou Duva, Angelino Dundee, Pernell Whitaker, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield. From his experiences of being with the elite and not just fighters but trainers and teachers, he is able to bring that to the table and really up my game with not just telling me but showing me. He brings so much to the table he has taught me so much, he is bringing out my true talents that God has blessed me with.
BH: You will be on the cover of Soul magazine in December, give us your thoughts on that experience?
RG: All I can say is that God is great because to be on the cover of Soul magazine, a Christian magazine and the December issue is the first issue that will be nationwide, to have me on the cover and to be their feature story for their first nationwide issue it is just incredible. It is just incredible how God has things planned; I am real excited to see it. To know that they are using me as a positive influence and a role model, all I can say is God is great.
BH: Is there anything you would like to say in closing? Just speak your mind.
RG: Just staying strong in the Lord and being ready for this fight, I am ready to perform and have fun with it and do my job with love and joy because that is what I am coming to do.
I would like to thank Mario once again for setting up another great interview. I would also like to thank Robert for his time and thoughts, for more info on ‘The Ghost’ please visit: www.theghostguerrero.com. Robert also represents www.fighters-of-faith.com.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
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INTERVIEW by "Big Dog" Benny Henderson Jr. (November 30, 2005)
