Robert Guerrero Talks Casamayor, Moving Up, More

By Ryan Burton

 

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is scheduled to face former champion and gold medal Olympian Joel Casamayor on July 31st on the undercard to last year's Ring Fight of the Year, a rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz.  Guerrero took time out of training to speak to BoxingScene.com about his showdown with the Cuban veteran.  The Ghost goes into detail on what he has to do to ensure he comes out with the win and also talks about moving up in weight to face the top guys in boxing's hottest division which is the junior welterweight division.  Read about all this and more in this exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How is training going for your upcoming fight with Joel Casamayor?

 

Robert Guerrero:  It is going great.  I am having a great camp and I am excited that I am getting back in the ring.  I just can't wait to get in there.

 

BoxingScene.com:  This is a huge fight for you on a big pay per view card.  Casamayor is a crafty veteran.  I will say crafty and not that he can be dirty so that I am politically correct.  How do you combat that?

 

Robert Guerrero:  He is definitely crafty (laughing).  He knows how to use his tools and he knows all the tricks.  We just have to work on everything.  I have to try not to get in too close with my head and I have to try to not think about those tactics too much either.  I just have to do my thing.  I don't want to worry too much about what is going to go on in there.  I just want to get on my game and do my thing.  If I am well prepared for the fight which I will be then I should be good to go.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Besides being well prepared for the fight what do you think is going to be the key to the fight?

 

Robert Guerrero:  Height and reach basically.  Even my timing is going to be important.  Those are tools that work on everybody.  We just have to put the right game plan together and put all my tools together and also you know another key is I am young and strong.  Casamayor is getting up there in age and it is time to bring out the youth.

 

BoxingScene.com:  That leads right into my next question.  Casamayor is 38 years old.  If you win people will say Casamayor was past his prime and if you lose they will say you lost to a washed up fighter.  Does that make you feel more pressure to win?

 

Robert Guerrero:  I don't let the pressure get to me.  If I do everything I need to do I will be victorious.  He has been a great champion and so have I.  I need to go out and execute my game plan and take care of business.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What do you think a win over a former champion like Casamayor will do for your career?

 

Robert Guerrero:  It will put me right in there.  He had a great fight with Marquez and it was pretty close.  Towards the end he got careless and he got caught.  That happens in boxing.  I feel that he still has something in the tank and he ain't done yet.  I have to be well prepared for him.  A win over him would be a good win on my resume that would throw me right in there for bigger fights with guys like Marquez and Diaz and even fights at 140 like Amir Khan or any of those guys at 140.  I am just excited that I have this opportunity with Joel Casamayor and this is one of the opportunities that I need to take advantage of.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you want to get a belt at 135 before you move up to 140?

 

Robert Guerrero:  Yeah.  I want to make a run at 135 pounds and shoot for that title.  God willing that everything goes well hopefully I can get a shot at the winner between Marquez and Diaz.

 

BoxingScene.com:  You mentioned Amir Khan at 140.  You also have Devon Alexander, Tim Bradley and Marcos Maidana.  Do you think your power will move up with you so you will be able to compete effectively in what is boxing's deepest division?

 

Robert Guerrero:  Oh yeah.  Right now I feel great and I feel stronger the more I go up.  I am feeling great.  I am one of those guys that carries the power with him as I go up.  I am feeling real strong.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you think you may actually have more power since you are not starving yourself as much to make weight?

 

Robert Guerrero:  Yes.  I feel a lot stronger and a lot quicker.  Power wise I definitely notice more power when I punch.  I am excited that I am right there in that 135-140 range.  It is pretty nice to be there.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Who do you see winning the main event?

 

Robert Guerrero:  I think Marquez again.  He is a wiser and craftier guy.  Diaz comes in and he gets set up for shots.  Marquez is one of those guys that will pick you apart.  I have to give the edge to Marquez.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us a little about your documentary that is coming out?

 

Robert Guerrero:  You can check out a trailer of my documentary at theghostdocumentary.com.  The documentary shows some of my career and what my wife and I went through (his wife had leukemia) and how we got through it.  It is scheduled to come out early in 2011 and the website provides a little glimpse into what the film is about.

 

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

 

Robert Guerrero:  Tune in on July 31st.  I am back!  This is one of the biggest fights of my career versus a four time world champion and Olympic gold medalist in Joel Casamayor.  It is a big fight and it is one of the fights that the fans wanted to see me in.  They wanted to see me fight a big name and here it is.  It will be exciting.  Remember to check out theghostdocumentary.com so you can see the trailer.