Gilroy’s Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero has started serious preparations for his first
International Boxing Federation lightweight title defense.
Gilroy’s Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has started serious preparations for his first International Boxing Federation lightweight title defense.
Guerrero opened camp earlier this week in Northridge as he works toward his bout against No. 1 contender Orlando Salido. The fight will be Nov. 4 at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on the same card of the Floyd Mayweather-Carlos Baldomir World Boxing Council welterweight championship. The card is an HBO pay per view event.
Guerrero, who is working out under the eye of trainer John Bray, does his early morning runs at Griffith Park before entering the gym for an intense work regimen.
“He’s such a hard-working kid, a real pleasure to work with,” said John Bray, Guerrero’s co-trainer. “He puts his heart and soul into training every day.”
Bray understands what it takes to be a champion, having sparred with the likes of former champions Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Mike McCallum. Guerrero is the first world champion he has trained.
“He knows he’s got something, that he’s a world champion,” Bray said. “He came into camp in good shape. Now it’s a matter of us getting him in supreme boxing shape so he can go 12 rounds.”
Guerrero, 23, has had to go 12 rounds only twice in a career in which he has posted a 19-1-1 record with 12 knockouts. His most recent bout was Sept. 4 in Los Angeles when Guerrero won the IBF featherweight championship by stopping Eric Aiken in the eighth round.
Guerrero generally runs and works out six days a week. His regimen includes sessions on the heavy bag, speed bag, jumping rope and power drills. Beginning Monday, he adds sparring as he prepares for Salido, from Ciudad Obregon, Mexico, with a 27-9-2 record.
Despite a less-than-stellar record, Salido, who turns 26 Nov. 16, has won 12 of his last 13 fights. His only loss during that span came to Juan Manuel Marquez two years ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“There’s no secret to the battle plan, whether it’s Salido or anyone else,” Bray said. “You have to work hard and be ready for anything.”
