Welterweight Christopher Guerrero believes he has put the welterweight division on notice.
Guerrero recorded a highlight-reel knockout, stopping Sandy Messaoud with 32 seconds left in the 10th and final round of his bout on Friday at Centre Videotron, Quebec City, Canada.
Guerrero, 15-0 (9 KOs), is a power-puncher who was born in Mexico, but resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fight was a learning lesson as he never felt like he was in danger, but found himself in a tough battle with a tricky veteran, Messaoud, 20-9 (1 KO).
“It was a relief that I got to knock him out,” Guerrero told BoxingScene. “I didn’t know going into the fight that he had never been stopped.”
Messaoud had only been stopped by a cut prior against David Papot in 2015. Guerrero, 24, explains what he experienced with the contest.
“During the fight, I felt in control. There were times when he would touch me, but I didn’t think much of it,” Guerrero said. “Two things could be true at once. I think it was somewhat competitive, but at the same time, I felt I was in control the whole time. I was landing the bigger shots and putting the pressure on. I was forcing the action.”
Guerrero has coveted a co-main event and even a main event spot on Eye of the Tiger cards. He believes he could return in October after some time off in the summer, and hopes for a big opportunity when he returns.
“I consider myself one of the best boxers in Canada,” Guerrero said. “I should be considered one of the best in Canada. I just need the platform and the opponent to show it.”
When reflecting on facing Messaoud – a 38-year-old from Saint-Ave, Morbihan, France – Guerrero said: “I think it helped me gain experience. He was awkward and tricky to get shots off and time him. Because of the stoppage, I think I have put a lot of people on notice.”
