Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero shows off his IBF championship
hardware
Salinas – It was back to work Thursday for “The Ghost”, but Robert Guerrero was quick to point out it was a lot of fun.
The new International Boxing Federation featherweight champion from Gilroy returned to the ring for the first time since stopping Eric Aiken in the title fight Sept. 2 in Los Angeles.
This time he had three “opponents,” better known as sparring partners. Jose Celaya, Eric Garcia and Adolfo Gonzalez combined to give Guerrero eight rounds of sparring in the boxing ring that is part of the Elite Fitness facility.
“It’s cool to see all the kids here,” a smiling Guerrero said as he skipped rope. “They’re working hard. They like to show off in front of me. That’s cool.”
Guerrero, 23, was accompanied to the gym by his father and co-trainer, Ruben, as well as his wife, Casey, and their 18-month-old daughter, Savannah. It may have been fun for the champion. It was also work as he began preparing for his first title defense Nov. 4 against No. 1 IBF challenger Orlando Salido at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas in an HBO pay-per-view encounter.
“It will be good to get the mandatory out of the way,” Guerrero said of his first defense. “I know he will be a tough opponent. He went 12 rounds with Juan Manuel Marquez and has a KO streak. I’m excited. I like to fight good opponents.”
In addition to sparring and skipping rope, Guerrero shadow-boxed and worked with the mitts. Around Oct. 1, he will move his camp to Los Angeles to train, sparring at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in North Hollywood and doing other preparation at Northridge Athletic Club, where his co-trainer John Bray runs the boxing program.
“That’s when we start the full-blown training,” said Guerrero, preparing for his fourth fight in six months.
Since his Sept. 2 fight, Guerrero has been doing road work as well as working out at the Gilroy Youth Center. He has also repaid an unofficial debt.
“He’s spent a lot of time working with me,” said Ruben Guerrero, “building fences. He works hard. He does some welding. He keeps busy.”
At the beginning of October when Guerrero heads to Los Angeles, his father will shut down the business and head south with his third oldest son.
Reflecting on his fight with Aiken, Guerrero said, “I was able to go in and do what I wanted to do. I thought he would have more fight in him. But I guess I can’t blame him. He was taking a lot of body shots.”
Guerrero promised he won’t look past Salido, and yet he looked ahead.
“(Marco Antonio) Barrera is supposed to retire next year, and I would like to get in and retire him,” said Guerrero, 19-1-1 with 12 KOs. “They are starting to call me the ‘career ender.’ (Enrique) Sanchez, (David) Vazquez and Jose Tula have all retired after facing me.”
Guerrero, meanwhile, lists Marquez, Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales are other fighters he would like to meet in the near future.
He also talks about defending his title in the Bay area.
But first things first and that means Salido. After two weeks of enjoying the fruits of his labor against Aiken, he’s ready to get back to business.
“I like to fight and I’ll be ready to go Nov. 4,” Guerrero said. “I know that fighting (on the Mayweather card) is a great opportunity and one I am excited about.”
