As the anticipation grows, it remains to be seen who will have the final say when Gilroy native and five-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and WBC welterweight Silver champion Selcuk “Mini Tyson” Aydin square off Saturday for the Interim WBC welterweight championship of the world at HP Pavilion.
On Tuesday, the two boxers with polar opposite personalities went about the process of convincing about 80 patrons of one common factor – that he was better than the other – and provided a small sampling of what to expect come fight night during an open workout session inside San Jose Boxing and Fitness.
“I wouldn’t have come here if I wasn’t going to be in perfect condition,” Aydin said through his interpreter. “I have had 23 fights as a professional. Every fighter is the same to me. I always come in perfect shape.”
Aydin is a perfect 23-0-0 in those fights, winning 17 of them by knockout. Saturday, though, will be just the second fight in the United States for the Turkish-born 147-pounder. Aydin defeated Said Ouali in Nevada in 2009.
“There are some things that Robert doesn’t know (about me), which he will find out in the ring the hard way,” said a business-like Aydin, oozing with confidence.
It was a brief appearance for Aydin, 28, who put together about a 15 minute presentation that included mitt work, sit-sups, push-ups, heavy bag – yelling out with every punch thrown – and shadow boxing.
“I feel confident that I will win this fight,” he said.
Guerrero held his workout 45 minutes after Aydin had exited the gym. Ruben Guerrero, The Ghost’s trainer and father, threw the first jab.
“This ain’t our first barbecue,” the consummate showman said. “We are going to win this fight.”
After a brief warm-up, the Guerreros hit the mitts, and part way through, Robert blasted one of the mitts off of Ruben’s hand and into the crowd.
“That’s just a taste,” Ruben said to an applauding crowd.
The Ghost (29-1-1, 18 KOs), who returned last week from a seven-week training camp in Lake Tahoe, is on a 15-fight unbeaten streak – a string that does include two no decisions. Looking comfortable at his new weight (Guerrero is making a two-class jump from 135 to 147), the southpaw demonstrated quickness and fluidity, showing off his surgically repaired left shoulder.
“It’s was one of the best training camps I’ve had,” he said. “Everything is coming together. I’m ready to go.”
NOTES: Guerrero and Aydin will meet face to face for the first time Wednesday at the final news conference before weigh-ins… victory Saturday does not just include the interim WBC welterweight championship but it also comes with the tag as Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s mandatory challenger… Guerrero’s younger brother, Randy Guerrero, was supposed to make his professional debut Saturday, however that has now changed. Randy Guerrero will now fight on September 8 on the Andre Ward-Chad Dawson card in Oakland…
Wednesday
1:00 p.m. Final news conference
Location: HP Pavilion – The Grill (525 West Santa Clara St.; San Jose, CA 95113)
12:30 p.m. – Media Arrival/Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Press Conference Begins
Friday
1:00 p.m. Official weigh-in open to the public
Location: Circle of Palms (120 South Market St.; San Jose, CA 95113)
Note: Located adjacent to The Fairmont San Jose.
Saturday
2:30 p.m. HP Pavilion doors open
3:15 p.m. First fight begins
5 p.m. SHOWTIME EXTREME® telecast begins
7 p.m. SHOWTIME® Championship Boxing telecast begins
