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Two-time world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, 22-1-1 (15), has vacated his IBF Featherweight title and moved up to junior lightweight. The decision came about as Guerrero, who stands at 5’8 ½, struggled to make weight in his last two championship bouts.
Since he was eighteen years old, Guerrero has been fighting in the featherweight division and at twenty five, “The Ghost” feels that he’ll be physically more powerful fighting at 130 lb.
“It’s been my childhood dream to become a world champion and I’ve accomplished that goal at featherweight,” said Guerrero. “I’m truly appreciative to the IBF for giving me the opportunity to fight for their title. I’ve been at this weight since the amateurs. I’ve come to realize that I can no longer make featherweight and feel strong. I’m older now, my body has matured, so its time for me to move up in weight. The extra four pounds will only make me stronger. At junior lightweight, I believe I’ll be more effective.”
Guerrero won his first world title on November 9, 2006 when he stopped Eric Aiken at the Staples Center behind a vicious body attack. Aiken could no longer continue after the eighth round, giving The Ghost a TKO vicory.
On February 23, 2007, Guerrero became two-time world champion when he traveled overseas and defeated hometown hero, Spend Abazi, via ninth round TKO. Robert was put in the difficult situation to cross continents, when Orlando Salido, who out pointed him on November 4, 2006, tested positive with the powerful steroid Nandrolone. Salido was stripped of the title, giving Guerrero the opportunity to regain his championship belt. The bout was later ruled a no decision.
In his first title defense, Guerrero knocked out Martin Honorio in the first 56 seconds of the opening round at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson AZ, on November 3, 2007.
February 29, 2008 at the Tachi Palace Casino in Lemoore, CA, Guerrero defended his title for the second time by knocking out Jason Litzau in the eighth round with a perfectly timed uppercut at the 2:25 mark.
“My goal now is to become a world champion at the junior lightweight and lightweight divisions,” said Guerrero, “I want to challenge all the big names, guys like Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. I feel confident in my ability to accomplish my new goals.”
