Fighting someone bigger, stronger and more experienced than his
actual opponent is what Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero expects will propel him to his third career title.
The Gilroy native, who will be taking on South Africa’s Malcolm
Klassen (24-4-2, 15 KOs) on Aug. 22 for the IBF junior lightweight
title, has spent the past six weeks in Big Bear, mixing in cardio
and core workouts with three sparring sessions per week with WBA
super welterweight champion
”
Sugar
”
Shane Mosley.
BIG BEAR, Calif. – Fighting someone bigger, stronger and more experienced than his actual opponent is what Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero expects will propel him to his third career title.
The Gilroy native, who will be taking on South Africa’s Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 15 KOs) on Aug. 22 for the IBF junior lightweight title, has spent the past six weeks in Big Bear, mixing in cardio and core workouts with three sparring sessions per week with WBA super welterweight champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
A fighter who has won titles in three different divisions, Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) often spends five to six bruising rounds in the ring with Guerrero before another sparring partner hops in to finish off the session. The benefit has been immeasurable, Guerrero said, adding that his boxing IQ has gone up a notch over the last month and a half.
“The difference is ring experience,” he said. “Shane Mosley has been boxing before I was even born. You learn a lot being in camp, all the tricks. There’s always something to learn from another world champ.”
Earning another world championship has been Guerrero’s focus since relinquishing the IBF featherweight belt last year to move up a weight class. While that goal was delayed because of disputes with his former promotional company, as well as time spent tending to his ill wife, whose cancer is currently in remission after battling leukemia over the past two years, Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KOs) is as close to regaining control over the course of his career as he’s ever been.
A win over Klassen at the Toyota Center in Houston would put Guerrero into a mandatory title defense against Mzonke Fana (29-4, 12 KOs), the last person to beat Klassen. Beating Fana would likely be the breakthrough needed to take on a high-level opponent of Guerrero’s choice, but looking too far down the road is not an option.
“The focus right now is Klassen and we’re gonna be ready,” Guerrero said.
According to boxrec.com, Klassen is listed as three and a half inches shorter than the 5-foot-8 Guerrero, which combined with the Gilroy native’s southpaw stance, should play a factor in the outcome of the fight.
“I think he maxes out at 5′ 5″ at the most,” Guerrero said. “We gotta take advantage of it.”
At the same time, Guerrero acknowledges that Klassen has tools that make him as dangerous as any fighter he’s faced.
“He’s a tough guy and his stamina level is incredible,” Guerrero said. “You can never underestimate somebody with quick hands and quick feet with a high punch rate.”
Having a veteran like Mosley, who is also a part of Golden Boy Promotions, in camp three times a week shows just how serious Guerrero is taking his preparation. The same could be said about Golden Boy, which is in dire need of champions in its stable of fighters to stay relevant as aging stars (Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and Mosley are all 35 or older) enter the twilight of their careers.
“Shane Mosley is one of the slickest, craftiest fighters out there,” Guerrero said. “You’re in there [sparring] with another world-class fighter and if you make a mistake he’s gonna make you pay.”
If all goes according to plan, the cost of Guerrero’s camp will be exacted on his opponent.
