Robert Guerrero’s Feb. 29 opponent, Jason
”
The American Boy
”
Litzau, has been trying to get into the champ’s ear for more
than a year.
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has heard the trash talk, and it doesn’t bother him a bit.
When you’re standing at the top of the hill, all the noise from below tends to blend into a chorus of chatter, or white noise.
Imagine, a Ghost being scared of white noise.
Guerrero’s Feb. 29 opponent, Jason “The American Boy” Litzau (23-1, 19 KOs), has been trying to get into the champ’s ear for more than a year.
Ever since he defeated Eric Aiken in Sept. 2006 to become the IBF Featherweight titleholder, Guerrero (21-1-1, 14 KOs) has been hearing how Litzau intends to take his belt.
The truth of the matter, though, is all the talk coming from Litzau has roots deeper than wanting to settle things in the ring for one night only.
Guerrero gave The American Boy’s brother, Allen, a sound beatdown in the amateur ranks a little less than a decade ago. The loss wasn’t quickly forgotten. The older Litzau has wanted Guerrero ever since.
Once both men began making their marks in the professional ranks, it was only a matter of time before the two would cross paths. Each had stellar amateur careers and spotless records in their first few years of getting paid to fight. When Guerrero got a title, he became the focus of Litzau’s fury.
ESPN.com then gave Litzau fuel for the fire, and Guerrero a slap in the face, when it put The American Boy above the Gilroy native in its power rankings of up-and-comers a little more than year ago. Meanwhile, Guerrero was already holding the IBF title.
Litzau’s reciting of incantations, hoping to summon the Ghost into action, had to go on a short hiatus, however. Looking to springboard himself into a title fight with an appearance on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark”, Litzau was dropped by Jose Hernandez just three months after Guerrero defeated Aiken. The American Boy’s swagger – he repeatedly wagged his chin in front of Hernandez, as if begging to get plugged – cost him time and money when he was dropped for a knockout in the eighth round. Despite also hitting the canvas in the first round of that fight, Litzau was winning on all cards at the time of the knockout.
Three decisive victories since have put The American Boy back on track. (Just a question. Are you un-American if you root against Litzau?)
While Guerrero, fresh off a 56-second knockout of Martin Honorio last November, isn’t one to wag his tongue when it comes to opponents, he is confident his next fight won’t feature a trash-talking Litzau, hands at the side, jaw prominently displayed.
“I don’t think he’ll do that against me,” Guerrero said while training in Gilroy late last week.
If he does, Guerrero said Litzau won’t be hearing white noise. He’ll be seeing the bright white lights above the ring.
