23.06.06 – By Steve “The Brown Bomber” Brown: Twenty-three year old featherweight sensation Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero finds himself in an unusual position. With his back against the wall, he is taking a rematch fight against Gamaliel Diaz to regain his NABF featherweight title. Diaz, the featherweight that many projected as an easy victory for Guerrero back on December 2nd 2005, upset the division by out-scoring Guerrero for a split decision. Managed by Shelly Finkel and trained by John Bray, The Ghost has more than just a hard-hitting left hand in his arsenal.
On May 18th 2006, Guerrero made short work of Sandro Marcos with a TKO in the 3rd round. The Bomber caught up with The Ghost as he prepares for Diaz for the second time.
BB- How do you feel coming off a TKO win against Marcos?
RG- I feel great. I’m in the best shape of my life and I mean business. Strictly business, and Marcos got a taste of it. “I’m back”.
BB- What was your strategy against Marcos, and have you changed or improved anything?
RG- I wanted to cut him up with body shots, break him down. Everyone knows that I have a knock-out punch. Marcos wanted to stand in front of me so he paid the price.
My jab establishes everything, and gave me room for my left hand.
BB- Looking at your rematch fight Friday with Diaz, how long was your camp, and how is your conditioning?
RG- I was in camp for 1 month with John Bray. One of my sparring partners was 2004 Olympian, Vicente Escobedo. We worked on body shots, and cutting off the ring on Diaz. I’m in great shape. “I feel great”. He’s in real trouble. Diaz has nothing on his punches. He’s a volume puncher, and if I apply pressure on him his walls will crumble.
BB- What if Diaz decides to come at you jabs and combos all night, what then? Are you willing to brawl?
RG- I’m ready to turn it up a notch and throw power punches in bunches. I’m not going to lie; I’m going to knock this guy out. Last December he came at me with all he had. His best game ever. I on the other hand gave a poor performance and was distracted. This time I am going to come in there with my “A” game. My back is up against the wall, I must and will win. I feel God wanted to remind me of what it feels like to be hungry for it. Since the loss in December I’ve felt like a caged beast. I want this, I’m hungry.
BB- Is the WBC featherweight belt next in your sights?
RG- That’s the talk, and yes I want it. But I lost focus against Diaz last time by looking forward. From now on I’m focusing on the fight at hand, and Diaz is first.
Adversity is what makes a champion. I now know what it is to lose. That night with Diaz I was a millimeter from landing devastating bombs. God gave me so many tools it’s time I use them and show everyone on this rematch. 5ft 9inches southpaw, fast hands with strength in both hands; I’m physically bigger than most people. This division was made for me and I want it.
BB- So you’re ready for him?
RG- Some other writer asked me the other day, “why fight Diaz again? Why not another warm-up fight?” I was ready to go 10 more rounds with Diaz back in December. I have wanted to fight him ever since the end of the 10th round that night. I have been counting the days, hours, minutes, and seconds.
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, the featherweight everyone has been talking about, seems to be back on track for his quest to take the division by storm. With Diaz seemingly his only hurdle before a shot at the WBC title, tonight’s fight may very well be a fireworks festival of Guerrero’s skills in the ring. I, with many, will be watching, hoping to see the bombs explode. I’m sure that WBC featherweight belt holder Takashi Koshimoto will be watching tonight. But something tells me he won’t be rooting for Guerrero. I for one was on hand during the devastating destruction of Marcos back in May. (See inset photo)
Ask yourself, “Would you want to eat a left like that”?
Steve, The Brown Bomber- “If the truth hurts, remember who brought the pain”