by James Slater – Salisbury, Maryland middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero has already shown fine fighting ability, as well as an even more impressive ability to attract fans by the thousands. Despite only having been a pro since December of 2007, and despite only having had 14 pro fights (all but 2 won inside schedule) the 22-year-old has already shown he can bring fans to the arenas by the boatload when he fights..
One of his weight classes’ most promising up-and-comers, the southpaw is back in action on July 18th, against a foe who is arguably his most well known and potentially dangerous yet. 37-year-old Antwun Echols, the man who twice fought the great Bernard Hopkins in IBF middleweight title bouts, faces Guerrero next, in Tunica, Mississippi. And though the 31-11-4(27) veteran has definitely seen better days, Guerrero’s manager, Hal Churnoff, in speaking to The Maryland Daily Times, said Echols will not be underestimated one bit.
“This guy [Echols] could be dangerous, and we know that,” Churnoff said. “Fernando’s gotta fight him like it’s a major fight for him, just like he treats all his fights as major fights. Antwun Echols in the boxing world is very well known. He was just like Fernando coming up at this point. He could have very easily been one of the top guys.”
It sounds as though Churnoff sees the fight as one that might be seen as a last opportunity by Echols, and that could make the 37-year-old dangerous. Though the man known as “Kid Dynamite” has not won a fight since 2004, losing his last four, he is still tough and game. Still, as good as he’s looked thus far, it would be one huge shock if Guerrero were derailed.
Last fighting just this past June 19th, winning by TKO inside 2-rounds against Brian Norman, the southpaw talent is sure keeping busy – Guerrero had an amazing eleven fights in 2008! And while a win over Echols will be expected of him, a stoppage win wouldn’t be a bad result at all. For despite losing 11 times, Echols has only been stopped by five opponents. Also, aside from his pro debut, way back in May of 1993 when he was stunned in one-round by Anthony Ivory, Echols has never been KO’d quickly.
If Guerrero can get Echols out of there in less than four or five rounds, he’ll have added a pretty good victory to his resume. All-action and fan-friendly to the hilt, Fernando is definitely a 160-pounder to watch.