It has already been a busy boxing summer for the Guerrero family. From Gilroy to Lake Tahoe to San Jose’s HP Pavilion where Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero dazzled in a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Selcuk Aydin for the WBC Interim Welterweight championship of the world.
The next stop is Oakland on Sept. 8.No, The Ghost isn’t headed back into the ring just yet. Though that may come before the calendar hits 2013. Instead, younger brother Randy Guerrero is making his professional debut on the undercard of the Andre Ward-Chad Dawson super middleweight world title fight at Oracle Arena.
“He’s grown up in the gym, going every day since he was little,” said father and trainer Ruben Guerrero, who is obviously no stranger to grooming world-class boxers. “He will be ready to go on September 8.”
Randy’s introduction onto the professional stage was originally scheduled for July 28, on the undercard of The Ghost’s main event. The wait is OK by Randy’s accord, and the youngest of the Guerrero brothers is set to blaze his own path from the training gym to inside the ropes.
“I’ve just been focusing in, training, sparring with different guys, and preparing for this fight and for whatever is on the table,” Randy, 20, said Wednesday. “I’m ready to get into the game and do my thing. There’s a little bit (of pressure) having a father who is a trainer and a brother who is a world champion. Expectations can be great. But I have to be ready at all times and give it everything I have.”
Randy is ready for the light to turn green, but who he clashes with is still in question. An opponent has yet to be determined for the 124-pound four-round bout, though that hasn’t affected training one bit.
“We don’t know who we are fighting. It could be a guy who’s a banger, or a guy who is more of a boxer, or a counter-puncher, so I’ve been training Randy to be ready for any situation,” Ruben said. “You have to know how to fight all different kinds of styles. You never know who they are going to bring. You have to be prepared for everything.”
Being prepared is the modus operandi for any Guerrero fighter. It’s no coincidence that The Ghost has been able to climb from 122 pounds to 147 pounds, garnering six world titles in four different classes during his 11-year career.
Randy begins his career at a similar weight, however, that is where the comparisons end.
“It’s a little different because Randy is a righty and Robert is a lefty,” Ruben said. “I’m used to it, though. Once you train a lefty and you are good at it, you will be a great right-handed trainer too. It’s nothing for me.
“It’s going to take me some time to get him where I want him,” Ruben continued. As he goes down the line, we are going to do a lot of four-rounders with him first to get used to the different styles. But he’s going to be a real good fighter. Randy is very excited. He can’t wait to step into the ring. I see a lot of potential in Randy.”
Randy’s amateur career began at age 15, and though he doesn’t recall his overall record in 18 bouts, he does clearly remember his first – a victory in Hollister.
Randy said it’s going to be a fight-by-fight process, but knows he has a sturdy support staff in his corner.
“He’s a hard worker and he has the talent to make a name for himself,” Robert said. “My dad is on him just like me. I wish him the best.”
He may call himself a young pup, but his goals are of big dog stature – another chip off the Guerrero block, aiming high no matter what.
“My expectations are to be great in the sport and humble with everyone around me,” Randy said. “I want to be a legend in the sport, too.”
To his benefit, he has witnessed his brother’s rise through the ranks, soaking up every ounce of advise along the way. He accompanied The Ghost for most of his seven-week training camp in Tahoe.
“Training up in Tahoe was a great experience,” Randy said. “I sparred with a bunch of guys, and with my dad there and my brother guiding me and being a mentor, I came out of there hungry.”
Tickets for the September 8 fights are available at ticketmaster.com starting at $25.
