Former two-time world champion Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KOs), a native of Gilroy, has yet another
opponent for his June 12 fight at HP Pavilion in San Jose.
SAN JOSE
Let’s hope the third time is a charm.
Former two-time IBF world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KOs), a native of Gilroy, has yet another opponent for his June 12 fight at HP Pavilion in San Jose.
Johnnie Edwards (15-4-1, 8 KOs), Guerrero’s originally scheduled foe in the ring, withdrew from the bout due to a back injury early last week. Jackson Asiku (25-3, 13 KOs) was expected to step into Edwards’ place, but the 30-year-old Ugandan notified Golden Boy Promotions, which is putting on the card, that he too had suffered an injury late last week.
Veteran contender Efren “Huracan” Hinojosa (30-5-1, 17 KOs) is now slated to be the man facing Guerrero in ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” main event.
A native of Mexico City, Hinojosa, 37, has fought some of boxing’s best over the course of his professional career. He owns wins over Steve Quinonez, Lamar Murphy, Ivan Robinson and Jose Luis Soto Karass, and he is a former USBA champion. But at 37, it will be interesting to see how Hinojosa handles the 26-year-old Guerrero.
“We’re going to see how old this guy is,” said Guerrero, who added that he isn’t bothered by the revolving door of opponents. “It’s not a problem. It just reminds me of the four- or six-round fights and you go in not knowing who you’re going to fight.”
Friday’s main event will be a 10-round lightweight bout that will be presented on a live telecast beginning at 7 p.m. At 135 pounds, the fight will mark the heaviest Guerrero has ever weighed in the ring.
“I’ve been eating too much,” Guerrero said, laughing. In truth, because Hinojosa is a natural lightweight, the limit was moved up a few pounds. “I feel good. I feel stronger.
“I was supposed to fight at [130] but they made it at 135. It’s going to show everybody what I can do around that weight.”
The fight will also give Guerrero a chance to show people what he’s made of after receiving heavy criticism following his last bout with Daud Yordan, which was stopped in the second round and ruled a no contest after Guerrero was cut over the right eye from a headbutt. Some questioned Guerrero’s toughness for not arguing with the doctor’s decision to stop the fight.
“I’m motivated, big time, more than ever,” Guerrero said. “Being right there on the edge of being on top of the game … it’s like, man, you gotta blow guys out even more. It’s demanded of you.
“I’ve never been more motivated and pumped up to get out there and do it.”
The co-featured bout pits rising junior welterweight star Danny Garcia against Pavel Miranda in an eight -round clash.
Tickets are on sale now at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster locations.
