By Jake Donovan
Like most fighters below the bantamweight division, most if not all of Pedro Guevara’s career has flown way under the boxing radar. With Roman Gonzalez’ recent showcase on HBO perhaps punching a hole through the wall for the sport’s little big men, that perspective could begin to change.
That’s not to say that premium cable outlets in the United States will begin to heavily invest in the lower weights. But it does mean that a fighter like Guevara deservedly makes a headline or two, especially when he’s involved in the biggest fight of an admittedly slow boxing week.
The reigning 108 lb. titlist once again enjoys a familiar setting for his second title defense, as he faces countryman and mandatory challenger Ganigan Lopez in his hometown of Mazatlan, Mexico. The scheduled 12-round headliner airs live on Televisa (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. local time).
It’s a welcome site for Guevara, who arrived home earlier this week after finishing training camp some 600 miles away at Centro Ceremonial Otomí in Temaoya.
“We’re ready for fight night. We’ve closed camp and now are home as the fight draws closer,” Guevara (24-1-1, 16KOs) says of this weekend’s mandatory title challenge. “The preparation I’ve done for this fight gives me the confidence I need to know that I will come out victorious.”
The bout marks his second straight fight at home following his title-winning effort on the road. Guevara traveled halfway around the world during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season just to obtain his hardware, earning a career-best win in stopping Akira Yaegashi in seven rounds last December in Japan.
With the win, Guevara claimed a junior flyweight title on his second try, while denying Yaegashi the privilege of becoming the second fighter in Japan’s boxing history to win titles in three weight classes.
Guevara previously tried and failed in a close but clear loss to then 108 lb. titlist John Riel Casimero in Aug. ’12. That bout took place in his hometown of Mazatlan, as did his lone other career blemish – a 10-round draw with Mario Rodriguez more than a year prior. Guevara would gain revenge of sorts, outpointing Rodriguez – by then a dethroned strawweight titlist – in their June ’13 rematch.
The loss to Casimero not only remains unavenged, but for nearly three years served as his last fight at home. That changed earlier this year, when Guevara twice received a hero’s welcome. He was given the key to the city in January on the strength of his title win over Yaegashi. Then in April came his first defense, also in Mazatlan as he blitzed through Philippines’ Richard Claveras inside of a round.
While Claveras is hardly a world beater, the string of impressive performances has propelled Guevara – who has won seven in a row, three coming against former titlists – towards the top of the junior flyweight heap. At present moment he rates no worse than the second-best 108 lb. fighter in the world, right behind or perhaps even alongside Donnie Nietes.
A unification fight between the two – unlikely for the moment, but still often discussed – would undoubtedly capture the imagination of at least the hardcore boxing public. Of course, he has a long way to go – and perhaps will never get there if his opponent proves as tough as his talk.
“I face a great champion but I am far from intimidated,” insists Lopez (25-5, 16KOs), the Mexico City-based contender who has won five straight. “If anything, his championship status gives me even more motivation to give 100%. I am the mandatory challenger and I'm here on merit.
“I am positive that I will win this fight and take his title home. It’s his home, but it’s my night and I am not thinking about defeat. I will knock out Pedro Guevara and there is nobody (in the crowd) who can help him once the bell rings.”
To his credit, Guevara never bought into the biting commentary, taking it as just his challenger getting hyped up for a fight that means a great deal to both of their careers.
“Ganigan is a worthy challenger,” Guevara recognizes. “I’ve trained hard for this fight with that in mind. I’m prepared for a difficult fight, but I’m going to have the upper hand from the moment we begin. He has experience, but that’s met by my talent and fighting heart.
“I have the punching power to end the fight at any given moment, but I’m ready to go 12 rounds if it comes to that.”
Embracing tough challenges such as Lopez is precisely what Guevara had in mind upon winning the title last year. It could come in the form of a showdown with Nietes, countryman and fellow titlist Javier Mendoza, a top strawweight moving up or even Guevara himself moving up to flyweight for bigger and better fights.
Whatever the case, Guevara is confident the work he put in for this past training camp will be well-reflected on fight night – and the next step towards forcing the world to take notice of his career.
“I have always said that I will not be a champion in passing,” said Guevara, insisting that he is here to stay for as long as worthy challenges such as Lopez lie ahead. “Wining this title took a lot of work and I refuse to give it up anytime soon. I’m excited to defend it at home, and looking forward to a great fight with a challenger who commands respect.”
In respecting his opponent, Guevara respects the effort necessary to prepare for this moment. With such preparation, he can promise that his fans won’t go home disappointed. When you’re as good as Guevara, you even get to make such guarantees.
"I cannot disappoint my people,” Guevara notes of what’s at stake this weekend. “I can assure my fans at home that on Saturday we will have a party in Mazatlan.”
With a big enough win, perhaps a celebration comes in the form of recognition well beyond a cult following still applied to talented little big men such as Pedro Guevara.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox