LAS VEGAS, Nev.– Floyd Mayweather Sr. loves what he sees in Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ undefeated World Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman. “We just started working together, but I could tell right away that he’s got unbelievable talent,” said Mayweather Sr., who has trained future hall of fame boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., his son, and Oscar De La Hoya..
“Guzman’s defense and hand-speed are almost unmatched in the ring today,” said Mayweather Sr., who is preparing Guzman, who is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, for his bout against Michael Katsidis for the WBO lightweight interim championship May 26 in Anaheim, Calif.
Already a polished and talented boxer, Guzman has been waiting for a high-profile trainer like Mayweather Sr. to take his game to the next level and fully unleash the superstar potential.
“He’s worked wonders with every fighter he’s trained,” said Guzman, who has a record of 27-0 with 17 knockouts, was the WBO junior featherweight champion and is going go for his third title. “Now it’s my turn to learn from one of the best trainers in the game.”
Mayweather Sr., in his usual brash, unvarnished manner, made a bold statement when talking about whether or not Guzman deserves to be mentioned as one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters.
“With Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) being No. 1, Guzman can be no less than No. 2 with me now training him,” Mayweather Sr. predicted. “He already has outstanding skills, so at worse he is boxing’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter.
“Guzman is a complete fighter,” said Mayweather Sr. “His game doesn’t have any holes. On May 26 you will see Guzman win his third title in three different divisions.”
Guzman, born in the Dominican Republic, challenges Katsidis (22-0, 20 KOs) in the main event at The Arena at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center May 26.
The 12-round fight will be broadcast on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark.” Last week HBO cameras filled Barry’s Gym in Las Vegas, where the pair work every afternoon, capturing the interaction between Mayweather Sr. and Guzman.
One of the challenges for Mayweather Sr. will be retaining Guzman’s superior hand quickness while improving his punching power as the undefeated champion jumps from 130 to 135 pounds.
“There are adjustments offensively and defensively that I will add that will produce immediate results,” Mayweather Sr. said.