Guerrero visits fans in Hollister while preparing for fight
It’s not often that a world champion comes to town, but last
Saturday Gilroy’s Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero stopped by the Main Street Kickboxing Gym in Hollister
to meet with the local fans, workout and discuss boxing.
Guerrero visits fans in Hollister while preparing for fight
It’s not often that a world champion comes to town, but last Saturday Gilroy’s Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero stopped by the Main Street Kickboxing Gym in Hollister to meet with the local fans, workout and discuss boxing.
In all, about 50 people came out to meet the reigning IBF Featherweight Champion, who is currently training for his 12-round title fight against Jason “The American Boy” Litzau Feb. 29 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore.
Although his training regiment is intense, Guerrero enjoyed taking time to meet with the local boxing enthusiasts that attended the event.
“It was cool to come out and meet and greet the fans in Hollister,” he said. “It was great to see the younger kids and give them a feel for working out with a champion. The kids were really excited about it. I enjoyed it a lot.”
But now it’s back to focusing on Litzau and finding a way to knock him out.
“I know quite a bit about him,” Guerrero said. “I’ve known him since we were both amateurs. He is a good fighter with an incredible record. He can definitely fight.”
Heading into the title bout both fighters have nearly identical records. Guerrero is 21-1-1 with 14 KOs while Litzau has a 23-1 record with 19 KOs. The fight will be broadcast on Showtime Championship Boxing.
“This fight is going to be right around the corner in Lemoore,” Guerrero said. “It’s going to be a good fight. Hopefully, some of the local fans can make it out. If not make sure to check it out on Showtime.”
The 24-year-old two-time world champion enters the ring against a contender who obviously packs a mean punch, which is why Guerrero’s corner is carefully going over its plans for the fight.
“We’re still working on it and putting it all together,” Guerrero said. You can’t really focus on one thing that he does wrong because he could change it when he enters the ring. I just have to be ready for any style he tries. I have to be ready for anything and everything.”
And that has been the case in Guerrero’s personal life as well when it was first discovered last fall that his wife Casey has leukemia. The news hit the Guerreros, who have a 10-month-old son and 2-year-old daughter, harder than any punch Robert ever had to take in the ring, but it strengthened him as an individual and has made him more focused in the ring.
Today, Casey’s leukemia is in remission and she is doing well, and the champ is back in the ring and all business.
Proof of that came in Guerrero’s first bout since learning the news of his wife’s condition last November. In that fight, it took Guerrero just 56 seconds to dispose of Martin Honorio via knockout. And next month Guerrero, who is now dedicating his fights to his wife, plans on a similar result against Litzau.
For some, it would have been hard to stay focused in the ring during the personal challenges but Guerrero credits his support system and his love of boxing for helping him forge ahead.
“I love this sport and I love to fight. That’s how I stay focused,” Guerrero said. “My wife has been a big part of all of it. I work hard. The fire is always there. My wife’s treatments are going real well and we’re getting through it all pretty good.”
