THE FAMILY MAN ON SHOWTIME

Two-time IBF featherweight titlist Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, 21-1-1 (14), defends his belt on Friday night against the exciting power puncher Jason “The American Boy” Litzau, 23-1 (19), at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California in the “other” great Showtime bout this week. Showtime will present the fight on its ShoBox: The New Generation series, to be broadcast at 11p.m. ET/PT, (delayed on the West coast).

This is certainly one of the most compelling matchups to ever appear on the popular ShoBox series, and given that the network will also telecast the Vasquez-Marquez III encounter on Showtime World Championship Boxing this Saturday, this stacks up as a banner week for the Showtime Sports program.

Guerrero, a southpaw who has knocked out 13 of his last 14 opponents, is the heavy betting favorite to defeat Litzau, a world class fighter with a big punch and a questionable chin.

Three fights ago, in December 2006 against Jose Andres Hernandez, Litzau had the fight well in hand on points after seven rounds despite suffering an early knockdown only to get caught again and get stopped in round eight. He has been similarly hurt on other occasions, but has shown a fighting spirit that has allowed him to survive and ultimately win. Litzau has been known to become reckless when hurt.

Still, Litzau is a dangerous puncher who can also be a skilled boxer as well when he keeps his composure.

So the stage is set for a good old fashioned 126 pound battle royal between two 24 year old boxer-punchers. This is Litzau’s first title bout and first scheduled 12 rounder. So as I see it, Guerrero, who has been there before and has faced a higher level of competition, will likely stop the heavily hyped Litzau, provided that he can reach his opponent before he reaches him. In any event, it should be good entertainment.

In Robert’s last appearance, in November on Showtime on the co-feature of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Rocky Juarez main event, he received considerable publicity for his 56 second one punch blowout of Martin Honorio. Yet Guerrero’s performance inside the ring was secondary to the events in his life outside the ring.

Two weeks before the fight with Honorio, Robert’s wife Casey, his high school sweetheart and the mother of his two children, a two year old daughter, Savannah Rose and a one year old son, Robert, was diagnosed with leukemia.

Robert spent his nights before that fight sleeping on the floor of her hospital room. He wasn’t even able to appear at the pre-fight press conference. And then, after making short work of Honorio, two hours later he was on his way back to Casey.

At the tender age of 24, Robert has had a considerable burden on his shoulders, the care of his wife and two infants, along with growing medical bills, and his boxing career serves as a means for him to take care of his family. For Guerrero, every fight is important.

The good news is that late last year the couple was advised that her leukemia is in remission.

“She’s doing great,” Robert happily told us this week. “She’s doing her treatment and everything’s going well.”

Guerrero gushes when he speaks about Savannah Rose and Robert, telling us of the joy of watching her as she grows up and describing little Robert’s efforts to begin walking.

“It’s a great experience that I’ll never forget and I love it,” Robert says of fatherhood.

Guerrero has a strong support system in his family. His father, Ruben, began training Robert when he was nine years old and continued through his early pro fights. Now his father has returned to his corner for the third straight fight, the first to travel to Denmark to capture the vacant IBF title by a ninth round TKO over Spend Abazi, and then for the Honorio fight.

Guerrero also has a 15 year old brother, Randy, who is undefeated as an amateur, fighting at 119 pounds. The brothers often engage in some spirited but good natured sparring.

With everything on his shoulders, Robert also appreciates the help of his in-laws, calling that relationship “great” and adding, “I’m very blessed.”

Unlike some successful athletes, Robert remains grounded, happy in his world with his family and life in Gilroy, California, just outside of the bay area.

“It’s a little town,” he says. “But it’s growing.”

In December 2005, Robert was upset by Gamaliel Diaz by a paper thin split decision and lost his NABF featherweight title. Typically he looked at it philosophically.

“I’m happy that I got that experience,” he explains. “I think it made me a better fighter. It’s good if you can learn from it.”

Two fights later in a rematch, Guerrero KO’d Diaz in six, regaining his title and setting up a title shot with Eric Aiken. Guerrero won the title when Aiken retired on his stool after eight. In his first defense two months later, Robert lost a decision to Orlando Salido that was changed to a no contest after Salido tested positive for steroids.

“I came out and fought my heart out and the guy was cheating on steroids and fought the fight of his life,” Robert recalled. “I competed with a guy on steroids and still fought good, but I feel bad because the casual fan sees a fight that makes me look bad and not making fans.”

Three months later, Guerrero stopped Abazi to become a two-time titlist.

The only other “blemish” on Guerrero’s record is a March 2004 first round technical draw against Julian Rodriguez. The referee ruled the fight a technical draw after Rodriguez was unable to continue after being hit on the break.

“I thought it was a knockout,” Robert says today, with a wry chuckle.

Guerrero expressed his considerable respect for Litzau:

“I know he’s coming to fight. He’s going to be in good shape and I’m sure he’s trained like never before and he’s going to be ready. It’s his first title shot and it’s his big opportunity.”

A member of the Guerrero camp mentioned that Litzau has a My Space “Ghostbusters” page and has been declaring himself the new IBF champ.

“Everyone does that,” Robert says, taking it in stride. “But it isn’t going to be a walk in the park for him. I’ll just be ready and do what I do best. A lot of people are expecting a lot from me.

“I get more excited as the fight gets nearer. It’s going to be exciting because I know he’s an exciting fighter. He goes for broke and I know he’ll give me his best.”

The goal for now is just to beat Litzau. After that, Guerrero will be looking for bigger purses against the top names. He was originally scheduled to face Juarez who by a stroke of luck stepped into a title fight with Juan Manuel Marquez after an injury to Marquez’ original
opponent.

“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight him since the amateurs,” Guerrero said of the cancelled Juarez fight. “He’s a big name and I wanted to defend my title against him.”

Litzau, listed at 5’10”, is considered to be a tall featherweight, but Guerrero, listed at 5’8”, conceded that he is actually just short of 5’10”, leaving plenty of room for growth.

Robert could stay at 126 and try to clean out the division, but like all good fighters he wants to fight the best and face bigger challenges.

“I would like a mega-fight,” he said. “(Manny) Pacquiao, Marquez, Barrera, one of those Vegas style fights. There’s a lot of them out there.

“I could make 130 in a breeze. It would be great. That’s four pounds I don’t have to lose. I’ll be watching in March to see Pacquiao-Marquez. I want to jump in while they’re still at their best.”

Any last words?

“Yes, tune in on the 29th because it’s going to be a great fight. There’s going to be leather flying. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be exciting.”