Exclusive Boxing Interview: Robert Guerrero

IBF Featherweight Champion Robert “The Ghostʼ Guerrero, 21-1 (14), steps into the ring on February 29 to defend his title against Jason Litzau, 23-1 (19), in a bout that will be televised on Showtimeʼs ShoBox series. This will be the second defense of Guerreroʼs title in his second reign as IBF Featherweight Champion.

Guerreroʼs first reign as champion came when he defeated Eric Aiken in September, 2006. He then lost his title to Orlando Salido on points two months later. Salido tested positive for drugs after the bout and was stripped by the commission. In February, 2007 Guerrero defeated Spend Abazi via ninth round TKO for the vacant title and became champion for the second time in less than six months. It was a busy up and down half year to say the least for the then 23 year old fighter out of Gilroy, CA.

Since that time, Guerrero has defended his belt against the tough Martin Honorio, needing less then a round to dispatch the veteran from Mexico City. Come Friday, February 29, Guerrero is not just looking to make another successful defense of his title but make a statement as well.

Knowing full well his opponent is the type of fighter who can not only bang, but box, Robert is doing anything but overlooking Litzau and will not allow this bout be just a routine title defense where the champion does just enough to retain the belt.

When all is said and done, at the final bell, Guerrero wants the boxing world to know that not only has he arrived, he is looking to go nowhere except higher in the ranks towards becoming one of boxing’s elite.

After a long training camp and full week of press conferences, SaddoBoxing was able to get in touch with the IBF Featherweight Champion, who was nice enough to give us a few minutes of his time to speak about Friday’s bout, what his plans for the future are and even a prediction on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez bout coming up this March. Here is what Robert Guerrero had to say exclusively to SaddoBoxing.

SaddoBoxing: As you are winding down training camp, how is everything going? How do you feel?

Robert Guerrero: “It went great; we are right where we need to be. Camp went really well, we put on the final touches now all we need to do is wait for Friday, February 29.”

SB: This will be the second defense of your title in your second reign; is there anything about being world champion for the second time you feel that gives you an advantage, seeing how you have already been here before? Is there any experience from your first reign that you think is going to benefit you this time around?

RG: “Just being focused, working hard.”

SB: Your opponent for this fight is Jason Litzau, a guy who has made his reputation as a fighter that likes to go all out and slug. Litzau does not have a reverse mode, it is almost as if he refuses to be a defensive; do you think this will benefit you at all in the bout?

RG: “Yeah, thatʼs what I like about him, he is not a runner. Jason is an exciting fighter and like me he comes to fight. This is going to be an exciting fight.”

SB: What about Litzauʼs style, other than the fact that he prefers to stand and fight do you think is going to benefit you?

RG:”I am not expecting him to just stay right in front of me because he can box, but he likes to fight and I am ready for both.”

SB: With the featherweight division being as full of talent as it is, who would you like to face next if successful against Litzau? Are you interested in a unification bout with one of the other title holders?

RG: “That is always a good thing, to have one champion in the division. I would like to have that be my next step, uniting the titles. Maybe go up a division and fight some of the guys there.”

SB: Out of the other featherweight title holders, WBA champ Chris John, WBO champ Steven Leuvano and WBC champ Jorge Linares, which do you feel is the most talented? Which one do you think you would like to face if given the opportunity?

RG: “I have not really seen Chris John fight, I have heard good things about him and he has a perfect record but other then that I donʼt know much about him. Jorge Linares is a guy with a good record and I think would be a good fight. He is young and coming up in the sport. Linares is definitely someone I would like to fight in the division.”

SB: You have fought at the 126 lb limit in all but two of your bouts since 2004, so I am guessing that you could make the 130 lb super featherweight limit comfortably? In the super featherweight division, there are some of the sports biggest names under 140 pounds; Manny Pacquiao, Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez, Edwin Valero, Jorge Barrios to name a few. Do and your team have any thoughts on moving up in the future for perhaps a high profile bout with any of the previous mentioned?

RG: “Thatʼs why I mentioned maybe going up to 130, getting one of those mega fights with the guys there. There are a lot of big names in that division, it is a division to make your name in.”

SB: Speaking of the super featherweights, can we get your pick on who will win the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez rematch?

RG: “Itʼs a pick-em fight. Marquez is a great boxer on the outside and Pacquiao has that explosive power that can change a fight in one punch. Itʼs hard to pick a winner.”

SB: What can we expect to see from you against Litzau? What type of statement are you looking to make?

RG: “I am going to go in there to fight. I am ready to adapt to any style he comes in with and come out the winner.”

SB: Is there anything you would like to say to your supporters out there?

RG: “Tune in on the 29th, it is going to be an exciting bout. Jason likes to go for broke and I am going to do just the same. Thanks for the support.”

SB: Thanks again for your time Champ and good luck next week.

RG: “Thank you.”