One day before Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez renew their rivalry on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, America’s No. 1 Fight Network will hit you with one of the most anticipated ShoBox: The New Generation fight cards of the year when IBF featherweight champion and ShoBox alum, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (21-1-1, 1 ND, 14 KOs), defends against Jason “The American Boy” Litzau (23-1, 19 KOs) live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The doubleheader, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, LLC, will emanate from Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif. The ShoBox opening bout will feature a 10-round rematch between heavyweights T.J. “Top Dog” Wilson (12-1, eight KOs), and Travis “Freight Train” Walker (26-1-1, 20 KOs).
Wilson dealt Walker his lone defeat on Oct. 19, 2007, on ShoBox when he scored a controversial, dramatic 15-second, first-round knockout. Moments after the opening bell, Wilson backed Walker into a corner and began delivering punches with both hands. At least a couple connected solidly and seemed to stun Walker, who did not attempt to retaliate, or even raise a glove. He didn’t land a punch.
Seconds later, the referee waved off the fight.
NOTE: WEIGHTS – Guerrero weighed 126 pounds, Litzau 125 at Thursday’s weigh-in; Wilson weighed 264, Walker 236.
ROBERT GUERRERO
“Training camp has been great. I made the weight much easier for this fight compared to others in the past. I will remain at 126 pounds for a few more fights.
“I feel really good right now; actually, it’s the best I’ve ever felt before a fight in a long time.
“Litzau is a very tough opponent. Knowing that he’s going to be fighting in his first world title bout, I know he’s coming to fight.
(But) Whatever style he brings I’ll have a game plan to counter it.
“Right now my wife is in remission with her cancer. With all the prayers and support from family and friends, I’m extremely grateful for all the love. I’m truly blessed to have such great support. I also want to acknowledge my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without God, I’m nothing.
“With my dad back in the corner I feel really comfortable and confident that together we will be victorious. He was the first person to lace me up with a pair of boxing gloves and he’s the right person for me to guide my corner.
“I expect Litzau to be real cautious in this fight. He’ll probably try to box and use the ring to his advantage. I don’t think he wants to stand in the pocket and exchange with me.
“The Tachi Palace is a great, fun place to fight and it’s a sold out crowd, who will be live and full of energy. I have a ton of Bay Area fans coming to see me. I love it and can’t wait to get in the ring.
“It’s exciting to be fighting on SHOWTIME again. No doubt this is the network where I shine best. I’m truly appreciative for the opportunity that SHOWTIME has continued to give me. I want to show all the fans as well as the executives that I’m a TV type of fighter, the kind of fighter everyone can appreciate.’’
JASON LITZAU
“Boxing’s a gamble but I’m ready to ramble.
“This is the dream, to win a world title, and I am as prepared as I can be. I am going to leave it all in the ring Friday night. I am prepared for a war but that doesn’t mean I am going to just come out throwing bombs and fighting stupidly. I have a back-up plan.
“I have overcome a lot in my life, but I have made it this far. It’s been a struggle, but things happen for a reason and now my opportunity is here. This is a chance to make my live and the lives of those closest to me and around me a lot better. The thing is, I am so calm right now.
“I have believed my whole life that things would work out, and this is the chance to make it happen.
“I am ready for anything Guerrero brings. I know he fights dirty, but I have trained with some pretty dirty guys myself. That kind of stuff, though, I leave to the referee to handle. That’s his job.
“I’m just in to do my job, which is to win.
“Working with Buddy (McGirt) has been great. He has taught me a lot. He has made me smarter and more open-minded. I have sacrificed. I am dedicated. Friday is going to be a great night.’’
T.J. WILSON
“Nobody expected me to win the last fight. They thought I was fat and heavy and couldn’t fight. So, when I did win, the way I did, no one believed it. Even after looking at the tapes.
“So, now, I have to do it again so maybe then everyone will believe what they saw the first time.
“I thought I proved myself already but now I have to prove myself again.
“Believe me, if the roles were reversed, there would not be a rematch. But all he did was make excuses after the last fight and make like a crybaby. There are no excuses, however, for the punches he took.
“Everyone will see Friday that our first fight was not a fluke. What a lot of people don’t know about me is that I always was an excellent amateur boxer. I have fought better guys than he has.
“It’s a little aggravating, the lack of respect I’m getting. For this fight, they even made the ring bigger, which I guess they think will him help him. But what’s up with that?
“I’m going to jump on him again. I’m in better shape. Whether it goes 10 seconds, or 10 rounds, I am ready to go.’’
TRAVIS WALKER
“I do not think of that last fight as a loss, but as a lesson learned. I now know never to make it even close to getting myself into a spot that puts a decision in the referee’s hands.
“That last fight, the first round, was going to be a feeling out round for me. I knew he would come out fast because he wasn’t in good shape and would be gassed after a round or two. I allowed what happened to happen. He wasn’t hurting me at all. I’d rather get knocked cold than have a fight stopped like that.
“For the referee to just step in and stop it was wrong and it took me a little time to get over exactly what he did. But when I got home, my family and closest friends really rallied around me. They saw what happened to me. And, that, for me was huge. I found out who my true friends were.
“I don’t know what to expect from him this time, but I guarantee everybody that I will not touch the ropes. I am really excited about this fight and appearing again on SHOWTIME.’’