By Ryan Burton
BoxingScene.com caught up with two division world champion Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero to discuss his recent victory over Vicente Escobedo. The Gilroy, California native dropped his opponent twice in route to an unanimous decision victory in the HBO televised bout. Guerrero talks about that performance, weighs in on Juan Manuel Marquez's upcoming title defense versus Michael Katsidis and more in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: Congratulations on your big win over Vicente Escobedo. How do you rate your performance?
Robert Guerrero: I give myself a B. There are a lot of things I could have done better. I went over and watched the fight. There are a lot of things I can improve on to make myself a better fighter and that is what I am going to go out there and do.
BoxingScene.com: What specifically do you think you could have done better? You knocked him down twice and there was no doubt that you won the fight.
Robert Guerrero: I could have used my jab a little more and thrown more combinations, a little more head movement. You know there were a lot of things I saw that I could have done better.
BoxingScene.com: Like I just mentioned you had in down twice in the fight, once in the third round and once in the sixth. Did you feel at any point you had a chance to get him out of there and make it an early night?
Robert Guerrero: There were a few moments there where I had him hurt pretty good but he was well prepared. The times I knocked him down as soon as I made a move he would throw shots and he got me with a couple pretty good. He was well prepared and ready for whatever. He got up off the canvas and was able to keep getting up.
BoxingScene.com: You had a big lead early on and it seemed like he started to come in the second half of the fight. Was that more him coming on or you taking your foot off the gas?
Robert Guerrero: I had to take to take my foot off the gas a little bit due to the (left) hand injury. I had to rely on using my jab and picking my shots. I had to work smarter and use my jab and keep moving.
BoxingScene.com: Talk about fighting Vicente Escobedo. You have known him a long time. Did it feel a little strange to be in there fighting him in a professional fight?
Robert Guerrero: Well yeah a little bit. I have known him for a long time and it really was just a matter of time before I fought him since we are both in the same weight class. We fought in the amateurs. It was pretty cool that after the amateurs we got to fight in the professionals for the mandatory spot. It was cool. I went out there and put a great performance on and he came out and gave it his best as well. We put a great show on for the world.
BoxingScene.com: My next question is an obvious question. Are we going to see you here in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving weekend?
Robert Guerrero: Yeah I will be up there watching the fight for sure.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a prediction for that fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Michael Katsidis?
Robert Guerrero: I think Marquez is going to outbox Katsidis. Katsidis has that style where he puts on a lot of pressure and if you watch the Marquez fights with Juan Diaz you see that he is just a master technician when it comes to boxing against pressure fighters. I think that he will outbox Katsidis.
BoxingScene.com: How confident are you that whether Marquez or Katsidis wins that you will get the next fight with the winner?
Robert Guerrero: I am pretty confident. Being with Golden Boy they make the fights. I have a lot of faith in them and I am excited that they are going to give me the opportunity to fight a guy like Marquez or Katsidis. God willing that everything goes good I will be fighting one of them next year.
BoxingScene.com: Marquez is the big favorite in that fight. How do you think a fight between you and him plays out with him being an older orthodox fighter and you being a lefty who is taller, younger and faster?
Robert Guerrero: I have youth on my side but you can't just use that because Marquez has that experience and he is a very smart fighter and you have to be ready for him. I believe in my God given talents and abilities I have been blessed with so I strongly believe that I can beat a Marquez. Like I said I am excited to be in the position I am in and to be able to right there in line to fight a hall of fame legend in the sport like Marquez. It is really exciting.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Robert Guerrero: The Ghost is right there in line for another title shot. Keep watching. Thanks for all the support they have been giving me. I look forward to be fighting for a world championship again in the beginning of next year.
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