This is the final installment of The Free Lance’s weekly
interviews with two-time IBF Featherweight champion and Gilroy
native Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero (20-1-1, 13 KOs)
This is the final installment of The Free Lance’s weekly interviews with two-time IBF Featherweight champion and Gilroy native, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (20-1-1, 13 KOs), before he defends his title against Martin Honorio (24-3-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday, Sept. 15 as part of the “Fireworks” HBO PPV card.
Do you get nervous or have trouble sleeping the night before a big fight?
No, I never get nervous. I get excited when I get a fight. I’m excited to get in there and land some shots. I just watch TV until I fall asleep. (Fighting), it’s what I’ve been doing since I was a kid and showcasing it in front of millions of people around the world, it’s exciting and makes me want to fight even harder.
What has it been like training at Big Bear and sparring with Sugar Shane Mosley?
I got a lot of great work out here with Shane Mosley. Seeing him at 36 years old, how great of shape he is in, and being a world champion in multiple weight classes – pound for pound one of the best in boxing, seeing how hungry he is and how hard he works … I’ve learned a lot. I’ve had a lot of sparring with Garcia Boxing too, they’re out here helping me out, getting ready for their fights next week in San Jose (Thursday, Sept. 13th at HP Pavilion).
Did you hear about the fight-night wager between Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Ray Leonard? (De La Hoya represents two fighters that will be facing two of Leonard’s guys on the undercard. If both fighters from one promoter win, the other promoter will be forced to change into a swimsuit and step in as a ring card girl during the second round of the main event.)
No, I haven’t heard none of that. I just hope neither one of them is a ring card girl – or ring card man.
When will you be going to Las Vegas?
We’ll be heading up to Vegas on Tuesday night.
Do you expect any people from Gilroy to be at the fight?
Yeah, there’s a lot of people going out to the fight. The number, I don’t know. I hardly stay in contact with people back home (right now) because of the focus I’m at preparing for the fight and where I’m at mentally. I basically talk to my mom and my wife … The focus I have to have going into a fight has to be there all the time.
What happens to you in the final hours before stepping into the ring?
I get into that zone the last couple hours … Everybody that watches my fights, when I walk into that ring, they see the focus in me.
Is it tough to stay focused with all the interviews and press conferences the week of the fight?
You just gotta rough it out and maintain focus on what you gotta do, going over everything you’ve been doing up to the fight.
Are you used to all the hype surrounding championship fights?
Being at big press conferences and fighting on Pay Per View and Showtime fights, you get comfortable with it and you get used to it. Being in the press a lot (has) helped a lot in maintaining my focus.
What can fans expect to see on Sept. 15?
Expect me to go out there and put it on this guy. I’m coming out ready, I’m coming to fight. I know everybody is going to be pleased with the performance.
Anything else you want to say to the people of Gilroy?
A lot of the fans that are out there, they’ve seen me growing up since nine years old when I was an amateur, and now I’m two-time world champion and it’s incredible. I just thank all the fans for all their support.
