By Ryan Burton

 

Two division champion Robert "The Ghost Guerrero spoke to BoxingScene.com about his upcoming fight with veteran Vicente Escobedo.  The fight takes on HBO at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on November 6th.  The Gilroy, California native talks about the Escobedo clash and how he hopes to get a crack at the winner of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis championship fight and more in this exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about your upcoming fight versus Vicente Escobedo.

 

Robert Guerrero:  I am excited about it.  I can't wait for November 6th.  It will be on HBO.  We will be heading out to New Jersey.  We will be heading out to the east coast to fight.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Most of your fights have been in California where you are from or Las Vegas.  How do you feel about going to New Jersey and fighting in a new environment with a different fan base?

 

Robert Guerrero:  It is cool man.  I like to fight in different places.  I am excited about it.  I can't wait.  I get to go out there and I am sure there are a lot of Robert Guerrero fans out there too.  I want to put on a great performance for them.

 

BoxingScene.com:  After your last fight, a victory over Joel Casamayor, you have been campaigning for chance to fight Juan Manuel Marquez who will be making his mandatory defense against Michael Katsidis.  Is it tough to go from thinking you might get a mega fight like that to fighting Vicente Escobedo who is tough but obviously isn't Marquez?

 

Robert Guerrero:  You have to be ready for every fight whether its Marquez or Vicente Escobedo.  No matter what I will be ready.  He (Escobedo) wants a shot at that title too.  You can't take anybody lightly.  I will be more than ready for him and I will just keep trying to win fights.  If I keep handling my business I know the championship fights will come.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Your fight is three weeks before the Marquez-Katsidis fight. Are you hoping to put on a spectacular performance and then get the winner of that fight?

 

Robert Guerrero:  That is always the plan to go in there and get the job done and try to look spectacular and pray you get the next fight and that it is a big one.  I am excited about the position that I am in to be able to be able to be blessed with fighting on HBO and being showcased on their network.  I really am excited about the position that I am in.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Who do you favor in the Marquez-Katsidis fight?

 

Robert Guerrero:  I favor Marquez.  He is a great technician in the ring and he just knows how to pick guys these guys apart.  Especially guys like Katsidis that come forward and apply pressure.  He just breaks them down and gets them out of there.  I favor Marquez in the fight and I think its going to be a real good fight.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Speaking of coming forward that is the type of style that Vicente Escobedo has.  What do you have to do to keep him off of you so you can neutralize him.

 

Robert Guerrero:  I have to use my attributes.  I am a lefthander and I have to use that and be smart in the ring.  He can be a dangerous opponent if you are not ready for him.  We have a a good game plan going for Escobedo and fight night we are going to reveal it and make it happen.  Like I said you have to be well prepared for Escobedo.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Going back to your last fight versus Casamayor you won and easy decision and knocked him down early.  However he knocked you down in the last round.  What happened there at the end?  Did you ease up a little bit and just got caught?

 

Robert Guerrero:  I got a little careless and I had the fight in the bag and I was on the move and being in there with a veteran like Casamayor, look what he did to Katsidis in the 10th round of their fight.  He is a sharp fighter.  That is what he was gunning for, to land that one big shot and he can get you out of there with it.  It was just because I got careless and put my hands down.  Going into that round my father told me, "hey keep your hands up.  Keep your hands up and work behind that jab."  I didn't listen that last round and I had to learn the hard way.  I wasn't hurt bad or anything.  It was a flash knockdown and I shook it off and finished the fight.

 

BoxingScene.com:  If you don't get the winner of Marquez-Katsidis who else would you like to fight after Escobedo?

 

Robert Guerrero:  Any of the lightweights out there I will fight.  There are a lot of good fights out there.  Soto is out there and even at 140 Amir Khan is out there.  There are just a lot of big fights.  I am in a good position right there knocking at the door.  I am excited about it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Robert Guerrero:  Get ready for The Ghost heading out to the East Coast.  We are going to have some fun out there.  We are well prepared and we are training hard for this fight.  I am not taking anyone lightly so I will be 100% ready and we will come out and do our job.  Be ready for us on the east coast and come to the fight or tune in on HBO.

 

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