Exciting super featherweight prospect Guy Robb returns to the ring this Friday on the undercard of the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights main event Chris Arreola-Kendrick Releford at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada.
Robb (3-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California will take on experienced and battle-tested veteran Noe Lopez Jr. (7-7, 4 KOs) of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico in a bout scheduled for either four or six-rounds, depending on the length of the televised fights.
Lopez marks a considerable step-up from Robb’s recent opposition, something that does not bother the rising prospect. “I train hard, so I am not worried about the opponent,” says Robb. “I just worry about myself and what I am supposed to do. Everything is going well. I feel strong and I am ready.”
Robb’s manager, Repo Ric, feels the time is right to put his young charge in with a veteran foe that will test him. “We are taking on a very experienced kid because Guy Robb is of that caliber,” says Repo. “He needs to fight experienced kids. Guy Robb is the type of person, if you go there, he will take you there. He will show the world everything he’s got and open up to any fighter out there.”
Friday’s bout also marks a move down to 130-pounds for Robb, who had been taking fights at lightweight in order to keep busy. The event is being put on by one of the country’s leading promoters, Goossen Tutor Promotions, which gives the still unsigned Robb a chance to show them what he is all about. “The weight is at 130 and I am ready to go do my thing,” says Robb. “I am also excited to be fighting on a Goossen card and fighting for the fans in Reno.”
Given the opportunity to shine before a big time promoter could be a nerve-racking situation for a young fighter, but it is not something that will take Robb’s mind off the task at hand. “I don’t feel any pressure, but I am excited to fight in front of them,” says Robb. “They are definitely somebody I would be happy to work with and after everything goes well, hopefully they invite me back.”
If Friday’s fight is half as exciting as Robb’s previous outing, the Sacramento prospect will surely endear himself to the Reno fight fans and Goossen Tutor. Back on March 25th, Robb went toe-to-toe with Manuel Morales, a much naturally larger fighter, and came away with a clear four-round decision in a fight that received a standing ovation in Fairfield, California.
Though Robb opted to stand and trade for much of the fight, he wants to make clear he was not hurt at any time in the bout. “The fans were getting pumped up, but I wasn’t really getting hit,” says Robb. “I think people might have thought I was hurt or winded, but I was just excited. I was not hurt or anything and not many of the punches had an effect on me. I know the rule of the game is to hit and not get hit, and that’s mostly what I do.”
Robb is the type of fighter that feeds off of the crowd as they cheer him on during a fight. After the kind of response he got in Fairfield for his action bout last time out, one could see a fighter falling in love with the style he implemented in the bout. However, Robb has a good head on his shoulders. “We work hard and we are well prepared for every fight,” says Robb. “As long as I don’t lose focus or get sidetracked we are good. The fans pumping me up, that is just motivation if anything. It is definitely not a distraction.”
Robb is motivated for Noe Lopez this Friday, so the fans that come out to the Reno Events Center can expect to see a show from a fighter that can’t help but be exciting. “A fighter is supposed to be poker-faced and not too into their emotions, but at this time I am just being me,” says Robb. “Whoever is in front of me, I am trying to take them out, have fun in there and put on a show at the same time. The business we are in is entertainment, so the people respond to someone that is colorful.”
Get ready to respond Reno.
Tickets for the event, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at the Reno Events Center, Eldorado and Silver Legacy’s ticket offices.
photo credit Stephanie Trapp
