LOS ANGELES (October 23) – One of the biggest fights of 2012 is coming to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., on Saturday, November 24 when former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto faces Four-Division and Six-Time World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.

This 12-round matchup, a surefire “Fight of the Year” candidate, will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing. The event will also feature two compelling co-featured bouts with unbeaten rising star Keith “One Time” Thurman facing his toughest test to date when he takes on former World Champion Carlos Quintana in a junior middleweight showdown and WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril taking unbeaten WBA #3 rated lightweight contender Sharif “The Lion” Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship.

“I’m happy to be back and to be fighting someone as talented as Robert Guerrero,” said Berto. “It’s a great challenge for me to face one of the best coming off of my layoff. I know I have the ability to be the best in my division and in the sport, and proving that to everyone starts with this fight.”

“I am looking forward to this opportunity and it will be a nice way to spend the holiday weekend doing what I love to do which is to fight,” said Guerrero. “Berto has proven himself over the years as one of the best, but I am confident that I will come out on top and close out 2012 with a big win. I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and a win over Berto over Thanksgiving weekend will be one more thing to add to that list.”

“There are a lot of fighters saying they are the best, but not everyone is willing to prove it in the ring,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero put on a show every time they step through the ropes and I’m excited that they’ll be putting on a show against each other on November 24. On Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be giving thanks that we have a great fight between two of the best young fighters in the world and I know they’ll be giving everything they have to walk out of that ring victorious.”

“Fight fans can add to the enjoyment of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with this action-packed World Championship Boxing tripleheader,” said Kery Davis, Senior Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports. “Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero will be primed for the main event showdown and we think boxing fans are in for a real treat.”

“Citizens Business Bank Arena, managed by AEG Facilities and the City of Ontario, is extremely pleased to have been selected by Golden Boy Promotions to be the host venue for this exciting boxing event,” said Steve Eckerson, General Manager of Citizens Business Bank Arena. “The Inland Empire is a great market and will certainly support this great night of boxing.”

Berto vs. Guerrero, a 12-round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. Also featured will be a junior middleweight bout between rising star Keith Thurman and former World Champion Carlos Quintana and a 12-round battle between WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril and number 3 rated WBA lightweight contender Sharif Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship. The event will take place at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale and available for purchase by calling (888) 9AXS TIX (888-929-7849), at Citizens Business Bank Arena box office or online at www.cbbankarena.com or www.axs.com.

A 2004 Olympian for Haiti, Winter Haven, Florida’s Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s) has been among the top welterweights in the world for years, starting in 2008, when he won the WBC 147-pound title with a seventh round technical knockout win over Miguel Angel Rodriguez. After five successful defenses, Berto lost the title in his 2011 “Fight of the Year” battle against Victor Ortiz, but the 29-year-old bounced back with a fifth round stoppage over Jan Zaveck in his next bout to capture the IBF Welterweight World Championship, proving that he was still amongst the elite at 147 lbs. On November 24, he’ll look to continue to make that fact evident against a Four Division and Six-Time World Champion in Guerrero.

The pride of Gilroy, California, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (30-1-1, 18 KO’s) is a Four-Division World Champion who may prove to be more dangerous than ever now that he can concentrate one hundred percent on his boxing career. With his wife Casey healthy after a battle with leukemia and Guerrero’s shoulder surgery a thing of the past, the 29-year-old southpaw got back to work in July with a hard-fought 12 round win over previously unbeaten Selcuk Aydin that earned him the WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship. Now he’s looking forward to closing out the year with another big win over former World Champion Berto.

A one-punch knockout artist who has ended 12 fights in two rounds or less, Clearwater, Florida’s Keith “One Time” Thurman (18-0, 17 KO’s) brings excitement every time he steps through the ropes. Fully healed from injuries that kept him sidelined in 2011, the 23-year-old returned with a fury in 2012, stopping Christopher Fernandez, Brandon Hoskins and Orlando Lora in succession to extend his knockout streak to seven. On November 24, he faces his toughest opponent yet in former World Champion Carlos Quintana.

Still dangerous at age 35, Moca, Puerto Rico’s Carlos “El Indio” Quintana (29-3, 23 KO’s) has found new life in the junior middleweight division, where he has scored technical knockout victories over Yoryi Estrella and Deandre Latimore in his last two fights. The owner of wins over Paul Williams and Joel Julio and having faced Miguel Cotto and Andre Berto, former WBO Welterweight World Champion Quintana has the skills and experience to find out whether Thurman is the real deal on November 24.

Thirty-year-old Richar Abril (17-3-1, 8 KO’s) was fairly unknown outside of diehard fight circles heading into 2012, but when the Cuban-born resident of Miami, Florida took on highly-touted Brandon Rios for the WBA Lightweight Title in April of this year, he quickly became better known. Although Abril lost a split decision to Rios that night, the boxing media and fans around the world voiced their displeasure, calling it one of the worst decisions ever. On November 24, Abril rightfully gets another shot at the title, this time against Sharif Bogere.

Uganda native Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (23-0, 15 KO’s) was a five-time African champion in his amateur days, and he’s eager to add some professional gold to his trophy case on November 24. An aggressive contender with impressive power, the 24-year-old who now makes his home in Las Vegas has impressed fight fans with wins over Ray Beltran, Francisco Contreras, Sergio Rivera and Manuel Leyva, putting him in prime position for a shot at the world title.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,www.twitter.com/AndreBerto, www.twitt.ercom/GHOSTBOXING, www.twitter.com/KeithThurmanJr, www.twitter.com/SharifBogere, www.twitter.com/Richard_Abril www.twitter.com/CBBankArena, www.twitter.com/HBOboxing, follow the conversation using #BertoGuerrero or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/cbbankarena, or www.facebook.com/HBOboxing.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that an intriguing Welterweight clash between WBC Interim champion Robert Guerrero and former two time champ Andre Berto will happen on November 24th on HBO.

“We have a deal in place and it’s a great fight, a fight for the fans,” said Guerrero’s co-manager Luis DeCubas Jr on Monday.

“They’re both warriors and known for putting on great fights. Come Nov. 24, there will be a new superstar in boxing, Robert ‘The Ghost’ Guerrero. The sky is the limit for this kid. He’s a million dollar fighter and he will prove why he’s the best 147-pound fighter in the world.

“Robert wanted to fight Bradley (on Dec. 15 on HBO) but Bradley punked out and we moved on to the next best guy, who we think is Andre Berto.”

“I’m excited to be back in there,” Berto told ESPN.com. “I went through a lot in the last year but I had a lot of good people continue to support me and give me encouragement, and then it all got cleared up. It’s time to move forward and get back in the ring. I didn’t care who it was against. I was just looking forward to the challenge.”

“We’re using USADA. They will do extensive drug testing and we will also be tested by the California commission, and we expect Andre Berto to have integrity for the sport and fight clean,” DeCubas said. “Everybody in life makes mistakes and he is getting a second chance.

“We wanted to use VADA, which had contacted Robert, and we looked into that. But Berto’s side wanted to use USADA. Robert is not going to make or break a fight over this. We’ll kick his ass whether it’s VADA, USADA or the California commission doing the testing. If Berto thinks Victor Ortiz roughed him up (in his lone loss) then wait until he fights Robert Guerrero.”

Said Berto, “I’m hyped and I’m motivated. A lot of things happened this year. I learned so much and I’m ready to put everything behind me and work.

“I went through all the testing with the commission. They know it was contamination (that led to the positive test), not enhancement drugs.

“My mind and my heart is real numb to that and I’m ready to move on,” he said.

“This is a kid who is clean inside the ring and outside the ring and if there’s anyone who deserves it it’s Robert Guerrero,” said DeCubas, adding that Guerrero would begin his training camp in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “He’s earned it. He hasn’t been given anything.”

“I was at his fight with Aydin and it was really close to me,” Berto said. “Aydin didn’t really have too much to bring, just that power and pressure. He was one dimensional. I bring a lot more to the table — speed, power, I can box and I can bang it out if I have to. I’m an all-around fighter. It’s gonna be an exciting fight.

“I don’t really think (Guerrero) will bring too much of that power up with him to 147, but at the same time he’s a crafty little southpaw. Aydin was so one dimensional but, at the end of the day, Guerrero got the ‘W.’ That the only thing that matters.”

“Floyd hasn’t defended the title in over a year and he won’t fight Robert, so we expect the WBC to do what’s right by Robert Guerrero and make this fight for the full title,” DeCubas said.

September 25, 2012 – 6-Time world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero was honored by the WBC today in Mexico City, as officially received his world title belt after defeating Selcuk Aydin last month in San Jose.

“I want to thank the WBC and their entire organization along with Golden Boy Promotions, for giving me the opportunity to fight for the WBC title. I take great pride in wearing the green belt and will continue to fight the best that come my way.”

September 24, 2012 – Golden Boy Promotions, multiple division world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, has been invited by WBC President Jose Sulaiman and his son Mauricio, to fly out to Mexico City and receive his WBC Championship belt.

Last month, Guerrero earned the WBC interim welterweight title when he moved up two weight classes and defeated former undefeated No. 1 contender Selcuk Aydin (23-1, 17 KOs), making him the mandatory challenger to face pound for pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“It’s a great honor to be present in Mexico City with the Sulaiman family and receive my hard earned WBC Championship belt,” said Guerrero. “I’ve always envisioned myself becoming the WBC champion and I plan to represent the WBC and Golden Boy Promotions with pride.”

The Ghost will meet with the Sulaiman’s tomorrow Tuesday, September 25, 2012 in Mexico City to officially receive his belt.

Just south of Tucson in November 2007, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero made the definitive statement of his prizefighting career. Defending an actual world title – IBF featherweight, as opposed to NABO this or “intercontinental” that or “interim” the other – against a proven contender, Mexico’s Martin Honorio, Guerrero, fighting for a wife recently diagnosed with leukemia, charged out his corner, moved elegantly, and with the first left hand he landed, knocked Honorio silly.

Honorio rose from the blue mat, staggered across the canvas and allowed referee Tony Weeks to save him, only 56 seconds in the contest. That was almost five years ago. Guerrero has never improved on the form he showed in Arizona, but his PR team sure has – explaining away inactivity, accusing sundry champions of avoiding him, and making Casey Guerrero the centerpiece of its marketing strategy. Or aren’t we allowed to call it that?

Robert and Casey’s story was retold once more Saturday, this time by Showtime, as the leadin for Guerrero’s interim WBC welterweight title match with the WBC’s Silver welterweight titlist, Selcuk Aydin of Turkey, in San Jose, Calif.’s HP Pavilion, a match Guerrero won by fair, unanimous-decision scores. The Guerreros’ tale is one of privation, commitment and resilience, and medical triumph. That it should become grist for a press-release mill is an apt commentary on this unfortunate era.

Robert Guerrero is not a welterweight, even if he is now an interim welterweight titlist. Guerrero does not belong in the division because his best punches are not forceful enough to keep a middling opponent off him, and this fact is more important than any tactical counsel he may or may not receive and may or may not heed. The layman’s favorite advice to his favorite fighter is to “move” and “use angles” or “box” more. But because the ring is only so large and three minutes within it is a disproportionately long time, fleeing an opponent whom one is unable to hurt is both an evolutionarily obvious tactic and a rarely successful one. A prizefighter must find a way to hurt his opponent, or else.

This is the difference between the sport Guerrero engaged in Saturday night in San Jose and what amateurs did Saturday night in London. Punches in Olympic boxing are judged by aesthetics, not effect; a punch that passes unobstructed from one man’s shoulder to another’s head is the best kind in the Olympics, regardless of shape or consequence. Olympic boxing, and the effects its scoring has wrought, are often and appropriately compared to fencing.

Fencing provided the shuffle step Selcuk Aydin preceded his jab with in the opening rounds Saturday – one of several clever and overlooked techniques Aydin featured. It was a similar step to what Miguel Cotto used against Shane Mosley a week after Guerrero blitzed Honorio in 2007, when much to onlookers’ surprise Cotto’s jab was consistently quicker than Mosley’s.

Guerrero has plenty of class and showed a good bit of it Saturday, and the earlier the better. His best combination – because it is boxing’s best combination – was uppercut/hook. As Guerrero is a southpaw, the combination began with a left uppercut thrown at Aydin’s lowered, charging head.

The uppercut transfers its thrower’s weight to his front foot and pushes his back shoulder forward. The hook then returns all the weight to his back foot, snapping the front hip round and pulling on the back shoulder. The front hand follows its hip and collides with an opponent’s just-raised head. The beauty of this combination, along with the leverage it generates, is that a fighter who lands the uppercut is unlikely to miss with the hook.

Guerrero did not miss with his left uppercut or right hook in the opening rounds of Saturday’s match. And neither punch had any meaningful effect on Aydin because Guerrero does not punch like a welterweight. Aydin walked through Guerrero’s blows. There were times Guerrero used activity and footspeed, and clinching and more clinching, to fluster Aydin and reduce the Turk’s activity, but there were very few moments Aydin stepped backwards because of anything Guerrero did.

Afterwards, Gilroy, Calif.’s Guerrero, goaded by his hometown followers’ euphoria at his victory, did something a wee bit maniacal. He called-out Floyd Mayweather, last seen bouncing right hooks and crosses off the head of a 154-pound Miguel Cotto. Against Aydin, Guerrero showed a large susceptibility to right hands. By insistently dipping to his left, Guerrero put his head in a place even a sloppy orthodox fighter could find it. Mayweather is not a sloppy orthodox fighter. Mayweather may well be boxing’s most accurate puncher, putting the middle knuckle of his right fist within a dime’s radius of wherever he aims it, with terrible frequency.

Guerrero needs to revisit what thoughts and emotions he experienced in the second half of Saturday’s 10th round, when the only way he precluded Aydin’s punches from moving him round the ring was by placing both hands behind Aydin’s back and doggy-paddling to the ropes, then ask himself if welterweight is really the place to make his living. If somehow he decides the answer is yes, he should fight Victor Ortiz before Ortiz’s jaw heals or hope Andre Berto fails another drug test. Guerrero ought to return to lightweight, instead, and work on winning a meaningful title there.

One thing he cannot be allowed to do is face Floyd Mayweather. Guerrero is a good guy, as we’ve been told so very many times, and he doesn’t deserve what Mayweather would do to him.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

One of the rumored opponents for Floyd Mayweather’s May 5th fight in Las Vegas, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has been penciled off the list as per Richard Schaefer according to Dan Rafael.

“It’s not going to be Guerrero,” Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com on Wednesday night.

Former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero had successful surgery on his shoulder on Tuesday according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

Guerrero’s manager Bob Santos said the arthroscopic surgery, which lasted about two hours, was performed by Dr. Michael Dillingham, the San Francisco 49ers team physician, in Burlingame, Calif. Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs), 28, was already resting at home Tuesday evening.

“Dr. Dillingham is a very humble doctor, so he is not one of these kind of guys who will jump up and down and say, ‘Hey, it’s a success!’ But in his opinion, everything was OK and we are very optimistic,” Santos said. “He felt he was able to fix the tear.”

“The doctor looked at the rotator cuff and said he probably hurt it when he was playing football, that this was not just something that happened in one sparring session,” Santos said. “He said the whole thing has been damaged for years, but that he went ahead and fixed everything. He was amazed that Robert has been fighting his whole career with this. He said the rotator cuff was all scar tissue and had to have been there for years. The reason he could deal with it throughout his career was because of his pain threshold. But once it tore more when he was sparring, it was a different feeling.

“The doctor was very optimistic about things. Robert has been dealing with it for years and never knew it, but went about his business and sucked it up. But whatever the doctor could do to his best surgical ability, that is what he did.”

Guerrero will be in a sling for about two weeks before he can begin rehabilitation. Santos said the doctor said Guerrero would probably be able to punch with his left hand in about four months.

“Robert was relieved to go in and get the surgery done,” Santos said. “God-willing, everything will OK. He’s just 28 and there is no reason to rush him.”

As disappointed as he was for having this weekend’s fight with Marcos Maidana postponed, Robert Guerrero will be out “only four months” after a second opinion revealed the injury was not as bad as first feared according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I’m just staying positive and praying about it,” Guerrero told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “Right when I felt it, I thought, ‘This isn’t good.’ And then waking up the next day and not being about to move my arm at all, it was scary. I was doing 500 push-ups a day and about 100, 120 pull-ups, and then you can’t even move your arm. So it was scary.

“But I feel good about the test results and look forward to getting the surgery out of the way and getting my shoulder cleaned up and doing what I have to do to get back. I just got to take it one day a time, get the surgery done, get the rehab and get back to full-blown training.”

“He’ll spend two to four weeks in a sling and then can shadow box and jump rope and that sort of thing, but the doctor said he couldn’t punch on it for three or four months,” manager Bob Santos said. “So you’re looking at probably four months before he can train 100 percent. Best-case scenario is if he is back punching on it in four months and then does a six- or eight-week training camp, you’re talking about him being able to fight again in maybe February, March, April.”

“I feel helpless walking around with a sling on, especially on my dominant hand, the left hand,” Guerrero said. “I guess I got to look at the bright side. I can work on my right hand more and make it more effective in the ring. When you work with both hands, you’re more of a well-rounded fighter. I throw (the right) but there is always room for improvement. But the main focus is getting the surgery done and getting it all cleaned up and getting back to 100 percent.”

“The doctor said the arm looked fantastic except in the area where it was injured, that it had scar tissue,” Santos said. “That is probably from having an initial tear in the rotator cuff back then. So the thought is that, over time, it finally tore again.”

“We knew we weren’t going to the doctor and we were taught that if you’re hurt you block it out because you know you’re not going to the doctor,” Guerrero said. “If you can move it, it ain’t broke. That’s how we were brought up.”

“Sometimes you can do rehab, but this being the second time, we thought it was best to get it fixed because this is how he makes his living, using his arm,” Santos said. “So Dr. Dillingham said he would fix the problem and also be able to see what else, if anything, was going on in the shoulder that might not have shown up on the MRI.

“It’s really a shame this happened because I have never seen him in such great shape. We took Maidana more seriously than any fighter we have ever faced. Unfortunately, that old injury reared its head and derailed us.”

“Robert told me, ‘The more I kept thinking about it, every once in a while I would get a deep pain in (the shoulder) for the last few years,'” Santos said. “Now he knows something will be done about it. He would just say before when he felt it that he was the kind of guy who would suck it up and push through it, although this was different. I see him as relieved.”

Disappointed by the postponement of this weekend’s scheduled bout with Robert Guerrero, former 140 pound beltholder Marcos Maidana will not sit around and wait as he will take an interim bout in his native land of Argentina according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

That includes going home to Argentina for a Sept. 16 fight, Sebastian Contursi, Maidana’s adviser, told ESPN.com. Contursi said Maidana was “terribly frustrated” about the fight with Guerrero called off so close to the bout after spending a month training in Argentina and then two more months training in Puerto Rico.

“He was ready to go as he went out of the gym last Thursday at 144 pounds,” he said.

“We did, as Maidana was like a lion locked in a cage, ready for war, but Soto turned it down, which is understandable, of course,” Contursi said. “As we were told that no dates were open for Maidana within the next few weeks we decided to go back to Argentina and have a fight here for Marcos to stay busy. That’s why we are making arrangements to hold it on Sept. 16.”

The fight will take place in Buenos Aires in the neighborhood of Villa Ballester, where Maidana has lived since he was 16. No opponent is set yet, but Contursi said he is working with Golden Boy to secure one.

The fight will take place in Buenos Aires in the neighborhood of Villa Ballester, where Maidana has lived since he was 16. No opponent is set yet, but Contursi said he is working with Golden Boy to secure one.

“Obviously, Marcos was depressed (about) the cancellation of such a big fight and got a little out of focus during the weekend, but now he is back at training (in Argentina),” Contursi said.

If Maidana comes through his fight next month, Contursi said he hopes to face a big-name opponent before the end of the year. Maidana’s main target is titleholder Amir Khan, who is tentatively slated for a Dec. 10 fight as part of his HBO contract.

“Another guy Marcos likes is Tim Bradley, of course,” Contursi said of another of the 140-pound titleholders.

In one of his last training sessions before his August 27th bout with Marcos Maidana, Former world champion Robert Guerrero hurt his should which is forcing the be bout to be postponed according to various reports.

The whole card, which was to feature Seth Mitchell taking on Mike Mollo as part of the HBO televised show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California has been scrapped for the time being.

“Robert Guerrero injured his shoulder [Wednesday] in sparring to the point where it was numb,” Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer said on a teleconference with boxing reporters that was supposed to feature Guerrero and Maidana talking about their fight. “He couldn’t move it at all. It was numb. They were hoping it would get better overnight. It did not. He can’t move the arm at all, can’t put on a jacket.”

“We’re afraid it is a torn rotator cuff,” Schaefer said. “We don’t know. As a result, the fight card, which we were all very much looking forward to, has unfortunately been canceled. I hope it will be rescheduled. This is a fight that was on track to selling out in San Jose. It really is very unfortunate that this exciting showdown is not happening at this point. We wish and hope that Robert will be well and that it is an injury that can be taken care of. When I talked to Bob Santos he sounded extremely, extremely, extremely concerned. This is a big setback for (Guerrero).”

“HBO (was) saddened by the news as well,” he said. “We will have to wait to see what the doctors will say about his status. Hopefully, it can be rescheduled for a later date. Marcos Maidana obviously wants to fight, but on a week’s notice it is impossible to find a suitable opponent on such short notice.

“I would be surprised if Robert isn’t going to be out for quite awhile. If that’s the case Marcos Maidana will be fighting against somebody else (later in the year).”

“We’ll be working to see where we can place the other fighters,” he said. “We’ll look to see how we can accommodate them.”

“The most consistent launching pad for future champions for a full decade” ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary with a live match between top prospects Diego Magdaleno and Alejandro Perez. Watch highlights from today’s boxing stars who made their bones on ShoBox including Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Kermit Cintron, Joan Guzman, Victor Ortiz, Paul Williams, Timothy Bradley, Carl Froch, Nonito Donaire, Andre Ward, and more.

Former world champion’s Robert Guerrero and Marcos Maidana will meet in an Jr. Welterweight bout on August 27th at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I think it the biggest one so far and I think it’s the most dangerous one so far, too,” Guerrero told ESPN.com on Monday after finding out the fight was signed, sealed and delivered.

“He’s a tough guy. He has punching power. He keeps coming and he gets off the canvas when he gets knocked down,” said Guerrero, who will move up to junior welterweight for the bout. “When I watch Marcos Maidana fight, I look at the fight and I think the better the opposition in front him, the more he steps up his game.”

“Robert is stepping up to face the hardest puncher in the division,” said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions said. “I really think he belongs on that pound-for-pound list because of what he has accomplished. Maybe if he wins against Maidana that will get him there.”

“It was an exciting fight to watch, especially knowing a fight with me and the winner could be made with Golden Boy, and now here it is,” Guerrero said. “They both went to war. They put on a great fight and me and Katsidis also put on a great fight. And now the winners, we’re clashing in August.”

Maidana, who will train in Puerto Rico, confirmed that he had agreed to the fight, tweeting, “I think everybody (will) like the fight vs. Guerrero. I’ll prepare myself 100 percent since it’s a tough one. But I will win!”

Said Schaefer, “This confirms what we know about Maidana, that he fights anyone, anywhere, anytime. There are very few fighters like that, but he believes in his talents and his skills and in his iron chin and iron will. He feels this will be another big test and he’s ready, and it doesn’t matter where he’s going to take it.”

“Sometimes when you make a fight you know on paper going into the fight it has fight of the year written all over it and you know its going to be an action battle. This is one of those fights,” Schaefer said. “It can only be a great fight. In the 140-pound division, this is as big as it gets. There many big fights there, but this is certainly one of them.

“This is one I am going to look forward to between now and Aug. 27 until the first bell rings. You’ll have people split 50-50 on who is going to win the fight.”

“I’m super-excited about the move to 140. Just being at 140, I will be stronger, faster and more well rounded. I’m excited about it,” Guerrero said. “Making 140 will be very easy for me. I’m just excited about this fight.

“It will be great for the hometown fans. I’ve been wanting to fight a world title fight in San Jose and it’s here. Aug. 27,” he said. “I know all the fans are excited about it. I’ll stay focused and not get caught up in the hype with all the fans. Just focus and do what I gotta do and everybody is happy.”

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that a high stakes Jr. Welterweight bout between former two division champion Robert Guerrero and Marcos Maidana is in the works for San Jose, California on August 27.

“I have a very good feeling, but it’s not done yet,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer. “I don’t have it signed yet, but if I can get it done it is absolutely as good of a fight as you can make. It’s good to be a boxing fan.

“It’s a big opportunity for Robert and another big fight for Maidana. A win here can really establish Robert in the 140-pound division. He’s a big guy and can definitely move up to 147 as well. A win over Maidana makes him a factor in that 140-pound division, which we all know is one of the best in boxing. The winner could potentially fight the winner of Amir Khan and Zab Judah.”

Inside the ring Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero 29-1-1(18) 2 No Contests has won world titles at 3 weight classes and is amongst the very best fighters in the world today. He recently beat Michael Katsidis to claim the WBC/WBA Interim Lightweight titles and is eager to fight the very best to continue improving himself and prove to the Boxing world how good he is. The Katsidis win was arguably the 28 year old’s best win so far in a ten year professional career. He dominated Katsidis for long spells using his considerable Boxing I.Q to claim a wide decision. However outside of the ring is where the Gilroy, Ca resident is really a fighter. Over the past few years he’s earned everyone’s respect & adulation by looking after his wife Casey along with their three young children whilst Casey battled Leukemia. Thankfully she’s doing well and now Guerrero is able to fully focus on Boxing. In this in depth interview Guerrero, who’s always got a smile for everyone and time for his fans talks about his most recent win, the future plus his various activities outside the ring.

Hello Robert, welcome back to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulations on a terrific win over Michael Katsidis. What are your thoughts on that fight?

Robert Guerrero – My fight with Katsidis was one of my best performances. He was a very tough opponent and I learned a lot in that fight.

Anson Wainwright – How happy were you with your performance?

Robert Guerrero – I was happy with the win, but I know there are areas in my game that I can improve on.

Anson Wainwright – It’s early days but when can we expect to see you back in action next? Many names have been mentioned who are you looking at?

Robert Guerrero – I’m waiting to hear from Golden Boy on who will be next. Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz, Marquez and everyone at 140 are potential fights. I want them all!

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been linked with some guys at 140? Are you having trouble with making 135? Do you not want to clear things up at Lightweight?

Robert Guerrero – I have no problem making weight at 135, but it’s been difficult getting these guys in the ring. So I would like to move up to 140 and see who’s willing to step up.

Anson Wainwright – You started out at 126 how far up in weight do you think you can successfully go?

Robert Guerrero – My frame is big, so I really believe when it’s all said and done, that I can go up to 154.

Anson Wainwright – You mentioned going up to Light Welterweight division what are your thoughts on the top guys there WBC/WBO Tim Bradley, WBA Amir Khan, IBF Zab Judah, Marcos Maidana, Erik Morales & Devon Alexander even Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao?

Robert Guerrero – I think me fighting all the names you mentioned would be great fights for the fans. It’s by far the most competitive division in boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You have won including the two recent Interim titles 4 titles at 3 weights. What do you think has been to date your proudest moment?

Robert Guerrero – There are so many, but one that sticks out is when I went overseas to Denmark and stopped Spend Abazi in his hometown. Not many fighters would have traveled to foreign country to challenge for a title fight. You’re taking a big risk and you must get the KO to bring home the victory. I did just that.

Anson Wainwright – You’re always involved in various activities, fun raisers, charity work etc in Gilroy and the surrounding areas. What are you up to at the moment?

Robert Guerrero – Right now I’m getting ready for a Robert Guerrero Tribute Day in my hometown of Gilroy, CA. Money will be raised to help fund cancer research.

Anson Wainwright – How’s your wife Casey doing at the moment?

Robert Guerrero – She’s cancer free and I thank the Lord Jesus Christ everyday for her well being. She’s doing great.

Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about the documentary that you filmed? When is it out, where will people be able to see it?

Robert Guerrero – The Ghost Documentary is in the final stages of production. We are hoping to have it released by the end of the summer. Distribution and viewing will be announced after completion.

Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing that you still want to achieve?

Robert Guerrero – I want to fight all the best fighters in and around my weight class. My goal is to one day be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have any message for your fans?

Robert Guerrero – I want people to know that I’ve never turned down a fight and I’m always looking to fight the best. Fans can follow me on Twitter and Facebook @ghostboxing. Always remember that all things are possible through Christ.

Thanks for your time Robert, it’s been a pleasure as always.

Thank you Anson. Take care and God bless.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Editors Note : At the time of the Interview Guerrero was still in the running for the Amir Khan fight on 23 July. Now that Zab Judah will meet Khan in July Guerrero will fight on 6 August on HBO “Boxing After Dark” No news on who the opponent will be or the venue.

IBF #6 ranked lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo is in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend, taking in the anticipated Erik Morales-Marcos Maidana HBO Pay-Per-View event at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino tonight. Escobedo (23-3, 14 KOs) of Woodland, California is a knowledgeable observer, considering he fought both co-main event participants, Robert Guerrero and Michael Katsidis, and was in negotiations to fight Morales some time back. Escobedo, who was also presented with the Cinturon Tecate title for getting the most votes via text message during Telefutura Solo Boxeo telecasts as the boxer who displayed the most character, weighed in on both of tonight’s fights with 15rounds.com.

Former Unified lightweight champion of the world Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell has confirmed that he has singed a contract to face tough Philly fighter Danny Garcia 20-0(14KO) on April 9th on the great undercard of the Marcos Maidana vs Erik Morales card. This card is shaping up to be one of the best undercards of the year so far with Paul Malignaggi facing Jose Miguel Cotto, Robert Guerrero vs Michael Katsidis and top middleweight prospect James Kirkland making his post prison return.

NABO Jr. Welterweight Title/IBF Eliminator — 12 Rounds

Zab Judah (39-6, 27 KO) — 139 lbs.

vs.

Lucas Matthysse (27-0, 25 KO) — 140 lbs.

Vacant WBO Intercontinental Lightweight Title — 10 Rounds

Robert Guerrero (27-1-1, 18 KO) — 133 lbs.

vs.

Vincente Escobedo (22-2, 14 KO) — 134 lbs.

Welterweights — 8 Rounds

Sadam Ali (8-0, 5 KO) — 145.5 lbs.

vs.

Gary Bergeron (12-6, 7 KO) — 143 lbs.

Heavyweights — 8 Rounds

Mariusz Wach (22-0, 10 KO) — 263 lbs.

vs.

TBA

Light Heavyweights — 4 Rounds

Angel Concepcion (2-0) — 179 lbs.

vs.

Maurice Amaro (1-2) — 173 lbs.

Junior Welterweights — 4 Rounds

Mike Brooks (2-0, 1 KO) — 140.5 lbs.

vs.

Kywayne Hill (1-5, 1 KO) — 139 lbs.

Junior Lightweights — 4 Rounds

Tyrone Luckey (1-0, 1 KO) — 130 lbs.

vs.

Alex Montes (1-1) — 126 lbs.

Lightweights — 6 Rounds

Mike Perez (9-0, 4 KO) — 136 lbs.

vs.

Hevinson Herrera (14-6-1, 12 KO) — 135 lbs.

Junior Lightweights — 8 Rounds

Adrien Broner (17-0, 14 KO) — 134.5 lbs.

vs.

Ilido Julio (40-19-1, 35 KO) — 136.5 lbs.

Welterweights — 4 Rounds

Mikael Zewski (4-0, 3 KO) — 151 lbs.

vs.

Ardrick Butler (5-2, 2 KO)

Junior Middleweight — 4 Rounds

Bastie Samir (5-0, 5 KO) — 162 lbs.

vs.

Damion Reed (2-3, 1 KO) — 163 lbs.

Judah vs. Matthysse, a twelve round NABO junior welterweight championship bout, is part of an exciting night of boxing at Newark’s Prudential Center on Saturday, November 6. The show is presented by Main Events, Super Judah Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions. Doors open at 6:00pm, first bout to follow immediately. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins at 11:15pm ET / PT.

Tickets are still available: Priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com.

Twenty seven year old Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero is already something many great fighters never will be; a champion outside of the ring. Unlike numerous boxers who have failed to serve as a positive role model, Guerrero, a three time titleholder, isn’t just fighting for money, he’s fighting for a cause.

Guerrero’s wife Casey was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2007 and has been undergoing treatment to help her overcome the dangerous disease that affects more than 250,000 Americans. The Gilroy, CA native is actively involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and is an integral part of a fundraising project to help combat the illness.

I had the chance to catch up with Guerrero, who battles fellow California Vicente Escobedo Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ as part of an HBO doubleheader.

Matt Yanofsky: This Saturday you will be taking on 2000 Olympian Vicente Escobedo. Many would agree that a poor performance by him will spell his days as a noteworthy fighter. Do you think that perhaps he will be tougher than you anticipate?

Robert Guerrero: I don’t know what the critics think of him, all I know is I’m preparing for a tough fight. Escobedo is an Olympian and you don’t get there by being an average fighter. He does a lot of good things in the ring and I expect him to be the best he’s ever been in any fight. He has a new trainer and he’s confident. He’s ready to go as am I.

MY: Escobedo definitely wasn’t the people’s choice for this fight, especially considering he was clearly out pointed in his last fight against Michael Katsidis and doesn’t really have a marquee win. Who else did they offer and why do you think those fights weren’t made?

RG: That question is for my management team. My job is to get in the ring and fight the person they put in front of me. I don’t look at an opponent, that’s my manager’s job. I never turn down a fight. Vicente is ranked #2 by the WBO so he’s a worthy opponent in my opinion.

MY: Your wife Casey has battled Leukemia during the last few years and I know her condition has been up and down. Has her condition made it harder for you to focus on training?

RG: It was very difficult juggling my career, her battle and taking care of the kids. Now that she is doing better, I can focus more on my boxing career and training. She’s doing great right now.

MY: You have been jumping around in weight a bit during the last few years. Are you planning to stay at 135 or also fight at 140?

RG: My goal is to win a championship at 135 then move up to 140. If a big fight presents itself at 140 then I’ll take it.

MY: Some critics would argue that you haven’t battled the top fighters at 126-135 and your best win is against an over the hill Joel Casamayor. Although you have had some decent showcases, what do you think the reason is that you haven’t fought an elite opponent that is in their prime, especially considering who Golden Boy has in their stable?

RG: Everything happens for a reason. I’ve had to go through some trials and tribulations in and out of the ring. I’m a big believer in Jesus Christ and I know God has a plan from me to do something special in boxing. I’m happy with Golden Boy, they treat my team and I very well. I’m just going to keep on trucking and do my best to keep winning. The big fight will be there as long as I continue to win.

MY: There has been some recent press about your documentary. What can you tell us about it?

RG: The documentary can be seen at www.theghostdocumentary.com. The film is being directed by Andrew Johnston who also films for the NY Jets. He’s a great talent and he’s telling my story about my comeback from vacating my title earlier this year. It’s coming along great.

MY: What is your game plan come Saturday night?

RG: I’m going to come with everything. I’m leaving everything in the ring on fight night.

MY: Who is on your radar if you are victorious?

RG: My only focus is Escobedo. But I have to say it would be an honor to fight the great Mexican champion, Juan Manuel Marquez if he can get past Katsidis.

MY: Thanks for your time and best of luck Saturday. Our prayers are with you’re family for Casey to regain full health. What do you have to say in closing to your fans all around the world and the readers of 15rounds.com?

RG: I want to thank all the fans of boxing, not just my fans. Like the late Chuck Bodak used to say, if it wasn’t for the fans there would be no boxing. Also, tune in this Saturday for a great night of boxing. Escobedo and I are going to war.

LAS VEGAS – It was entertaining as a one-sided fight could be, but finally, “The Rematch” was a one-sided fight. Blame it on Marquez’s class – the ageless type.

Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, in a rematch of 2009’s Fight of the Year, Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) and Houston’s Juan Diaz (35-4, 17 KOs) squared up to determine the lineal lightweight champion of the world. Twelve rounds later, it was the same guy as it was when the night began, with Marquez winning by unanimous decision scores of 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111.

The 15rounds.com scorecard concurred, scoring it 118-110 for Marquez.

Diaz’s strategy, to box and keep his weight from falling over his front foot, was a sound one for survival. But starting in round 1, and with only a brief exception in rounds 2 and 3, it was not a strategy that would ever bring him victory.

For his part, Marquez was the same master craftsman he has always been, riddling Diaz with left uppercut-right cross-left uppercut combinations whenever the younger man’s enthusiasm brought him within range. The rest of the time, Diaz was safe, but he wasn’t in the fight.

Afterwards, Diaz hinted at the possibility of his retirement, saying he still wasn’t sure about his future and thanking his hometown of Houston for its undying support.

Marquez, meanwhile, addressed the possibility of a rubber match with pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao, after his victory.

“I think the third fight with Pacquiao is the one the aficionados want,” Marquez said. “And it’s the best thing for the fans.”

Class tells: Pirog ruins Jacobs
Golden Boy Promotions’ eye for talent has been questioned often since its inception. What Russian Dmitry Pirog did to Golden Boy prospect Daniel “Golden Child” Jacobs in the co-main event of “The Rematch” will make such questions all the more prevalent.

Pirog (17-0, 14 KOs) outclassed Jacobs (20-1, 17 KOs) in each round, using fundamental boxing to solve the speedy Brooklynite, before catching him flush with a perfect right cross, knocking Jacobs out cold at 0:57 of the fifth round to become the WBO middleweight champion of the world.

After a fairly even opening stanza, round 2 began with Pirog marching forward behind a right cross and extremely efficient footwork, entirely neutralizing Jacobs’ reflexes. Then Jacobs wisely began the third on his bicycle, circling away from Pirog, fighting part of the round as a southpaw and regaining his composure. Round four, too, passed in a somewhat even fashion.

Pirog came out in the fifth, however, backed Jacobs to the ropes and waited for him to start a tentative punch. At that moment, Pirog stepped fully into a right cross that landed on Jacobs’ chin and dropped him to the blue mat in a pile. Referee Robert Byrd wisely forwent his 10-count, waving an immediate conclusion to the fight.

Guerrero brushes away “Cepillo”

Boxing may never know Joel Casamayor’s true age, but Saturday it learned how old he now is: Too old.

In a junior welterweight scrap some in Mandalay Bay’s Events Center hoped would be competitive, California’s Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (27-1-1, 18 KOs) easily decisioned Cuban Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor (37-5-1, 22 KOs) by lopsided unanimous scores of 98-89, 98-89 and 97-90.

Down in each of the match’s first two rounds and penalized a point for holding, the previously resilient Casamayor looked old and spent, Saturday, as Guerrero hurt him with every landed left hand. In round 2, a Guerrero left cross even stunned Casamayor to the point of dropping both gloves and looking around in disbelief before rallying to wrap his arms round Guerrero’s trunks.

Never a strict adherent to the Queensbury rules, Casamayor looked particularly sad in his opening six minutes against Guerrero, when he was reduced to fouling to survive rather than win.

After such a shaky start, though, Casamayor, whose chin has never been doubted, found enough of his stride to give Guerrero quality rounds. Still, a Guerrero left hand or two seemed to buckle Casamayor’s old knees in almost every round.

But as the fight progressed, and Casamayor threw more punches, Guerrero began to holster his left hand, gradually sapping the match of its emotion. By the ninth round, a few vocal fans began to boo the action in the ring while the large majority of the Events Center crowd expressed its displeasure with abject silence.

The final stanza, though, saw Guerrero over-commit to a left hand and impale himself on Casamayor’s outstretched right glove. But the suspense passed quickly when Guerrero rose and boxed to a comfortable victory.

Linares plays bus driver, takes Juarez to school

Venezuelan Jorge Linares literally towered over Houston’s Rocky Juarez at Friday’s weigh-in. Saturday night, Linares towered over him figuratively too.

In the first fight of “The Rematch’s” pay-per-view telecast, Linares (29-1, 18 KOs) easily decisioned Juarez (28-7-1, 20 KOs) over 10 one-sided rounds to win the WBA’s vacant lightweight title by unanimous scores of 99-90, 97-92 and 99-90.

The fight began as Juarez fights always do, with Juarez doggedly chasing his opponent, eating punches and unable to let his own hands go. Linares, who would look nimble in the ring with anyone, looked positively balletic across from the heavy-footed Juarez. Snapping jabs and dancing away, Linares gave Juarez a boxing lesson in the fight’s first four rounds.

Towards the end of round 5, Linares landed one of many left uppercuts, and this one caused Juarez to stumble backwards and drop to the blue mat, a place one rarely finds him. Unable to hurt Linares and now worried that Linares might hurt him, Juarez, who’s hesitant even when he’s winning, began trading two Linares uppercuts for his every landed jab – a formula destined to fail.

What few vocal fans there were gave a number of halfhearted “Rocky, Rocky” chants as the fight progressed, and Juarez’s eyes continued to close, but the arena was otherwise silent enough for the bell to cause echoes at the end of each round.

The final round saw most of the fight’s sustained action, but those three minutes did not feature nearly enough pressure from Juarez to undo the 27 minutes that preceded them. The problem for Juarez, finally, is not just that he is now 0-6 in world title fights. It’s that he’s losing by larger margins in his every subsequent challenge.

Undercard

It was a case of dog attacks man in “The Rematch’s” final off-television match, as undefeated junior welterweight Los Angeleno Frankie “The Pit Bull” Gomez (5-0, 5 KOs) went through Minnesota’s Ronald Peterson (2-3, 2 KOs) without a modicum of resistance. A Gomez left hook to Peterson’s liver ended the match at 2:14 of round 1, when Peterson chose not to continue.

The fourth match on the untelevised undercard might well have been its best, as unheralded Mexican lightweight Juan Manuel Montiel (6-3-1, 1 KO) swapped blows and taunts with Nevadan Mike Peralta (4-6, 1 KO) in a well-matched six-round bout, which Montiel won by unanimous scores of 58-55, 60-53 and 58-55.

Despite spitting blood for half the fight and appearing fatigued throughout, Peralta nevertheless entertained the local crowd with his heart and will. Finally, though, Montiel had too much class, and the judges did not see the fight competitive as fans did.

The night’s third bout came to a rapid and ugly end when Australian Sakio Bika (28-4-2, 19 KOs) fouled undefeated and unarmed Frenchman Jean Paul Mendy (29-0-1, 16 KOs) at 1:19 of the first round of their IBF super middleweight eliminator, losing by disqualification and bringing some well-deserved hostility from the desert crowd.

In a maneuver disappointingly reminiscent of a different super middleweight – Arthur Abraham and his right hand to a kneeling Andre Dirrell in March – Bika knocked Mendy to the canvas and then stepped forward and fired a point-blank right uppercut at the defenseless Frenchman. Mendy, who had almost no power to speak of while upright, tilted forward and landed on his own forehead. Referee Joe Cortez called an immediate end to the match.

Mendy was later able to walk from ringside unassisted.

At Friday’s weigh-in, ESPN commentator (and cruiserweight contender) BJ Flores said the man to watch on Saturday’s undercard was a Brit by the name of George Groves. Flores was right. Accompanied to ringside by heavyweight titlist David Haye and favoring a left hook-right cross combination, Groves (10-0, 8 KOs) chopped away at Mexican Afredo Contreras (11-8-1, 5 KOs) until a somewhat early intervention by referee Russell Mora halted the match at 0:48 of the sixth round.

While Contreras did not appear to be in any trouble, and never went down, Groves, for his part, appeared to be committing fully to each of the right crosses with which he tagged Contreras with increasing frequency.

Before that, “The Rematch” got off to a quick and violent start Saturday afternoon as Maryland heavyweight Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell (18-0-1, 12 KOs) went directly through overmatched Philadelphian Derek Bryant (20-6-1, 17 KOs), stopping him at 1:45 of the first round.

After firing a succession of left hooks to Bryant’s body, Mitchell went upstairs with lefts and rights to the head and continued his assault till referee Kenny Bayless had seen enough.

The opening bell rang on a sparse Events Center crowd at 2:40 PM local time.

Photo by Tom Hogan/Hogan Photos

It will be a battle of former world champions according to Dan Rafael of espn.com when Joel Casamayor battles Robert Guerrero on July 31st as part of the Juan Manuel Marquez – Juan Diaz rematch undercard.

Casamayor-Guerrero, a scheduled 10-rounder at a maximum contract weight of 139 pounds, rounds out the four-fight telecast that will include Marquez-Diaz II, 2009 ESPN.com prospect of the year Daniel Jacobs facing Russia’s Dmitry Pirog for a vacant middleweight title and a lightweight bout between former two-division titlist Jorge Linares and perennial contender Rocky Juarez.

“I made a promise to the ‘Fight Freaks’ that this would be a freak card and I think I’ve delivered that,” Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. “I love Casamayor against Guerrero. It’s a big step up for Guerrero and a big opportunity for Casamayor. It’s one of those true crossroads fights. We have Linares-Juarez done and we have Jacobs fighting an undefeated fighter for a world title. I think the rematch of the fight of the year has become more than just that. I think it’s going to be the night of the year.”

“We are finalizing the contract, but we have an agreement by e-mail and have agreed on all the deal points,” Schaefer said.

“Joel is a veteran and he wanted a bigger fight. He wanted Khan,” manager Luis DeCubas Jr. told ESPN.com. “But if it’s not Khan, he’ll fight Guerrero. I think we’re in a different league than Guerrero. Robert is a great young fighter, but he’s never been in there with anyone like Joel. He’s real green. We’ll go through Guerrero first and then we’ll go get Khan or (junior welterweight titleholder Timothy) Bradley, or anyone else.”

“I think to have Linares back [fighting in the U.S.] and fighting a credible opponent like Rocky, I think it’s a big test for Linares, and it’s high noon for Rocky,” Schaefer said. “It’s a very interesting matchup.”

Former two division world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero talks about his win over Roberto Arrieta and his wife’s courageous battle with Leukemia

Watch Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Former two division world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero stepped up to the lightweight division that culminated a turbulent three months of his life by scoring a decisive eighth round stoppage over Roberto Arrietta in a scheduled ten round bout at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.

Guerrer dominated the bout as he dropped Arrietta three times including the first knockdown from a right hook in round two. Guerrero was effective was his straight left hand and that was the punch of choice that dropped Arrietta in the third round. Arrietta was game but outclassed and his night came to an end in round eight as he was dropped in the opening seconds from a hard straight left. Guerrero wasted no time and jumped over his wounded foe that forced referee Jay Nady to stop the fight just twenty-nine seconds into the contest.

Guerrero, 135 lbs of Gilroy, CA has been through turmoil in recent months as his wife Casey has had a relapse of Leukemia that she has been battling courageouslyover the last couple of years.

Guerrero is now 26-1 with eighteen knockouts and could possibly be eying a third world title as he could be in line to face the winner of the much anticipated rematch of the 2009 fight of the year between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz that will take place on July 31st just yards away at The Mandalay Bay.

Arrietta, 134 lbs of Santa Rosa, Argentina is now 35-16-4.

“I feel great and wanted to get some rounds in. I made a statement at 135 and I want the winner of Marquez-Diaz”, said Guerrero.

“This fight means alot to me. Casey’s fight is for her life. I just had fun in there.”

Toddy Junior and Rene Torres fought to a four round majority draw in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 39-37 for Torres and 38-38 on two cards.

Junior, 129 lbs of Las Vegas was cut over the left eye in round two is now 2-0-1. Torres, 129 lbs of Los Angeles is now 0-1-1.

In a four round Lightweight bout, Abner Cotto scored a unanimous decision over Juan Sandavol.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Cotto, 133 lbs of Caguas, PR who is now 7-0. Sandavol, 131 lbs of San Bernandino, CA is now 1-3.

Cotto is the cousin of former two-division world champion Miguel Cotto and Jose Miguel Cotto, who fights tomorrow night against unbeaten Saul Alvarez on the Mayweather – Mosley PPV undercard

Heralded prospect Frankie Gomez scored a second round stoppage over Ricardo Malfavon in a scheduled four round bout.

Gomez dropped Malfavon with a hard right early in round two and followed up with a barrage of punches that had referee Russell Mora stop the bout at 1:06 of round two.

Juan Velasquez scored a four round unanimous decision over Robert Gullien in a Featherweight bout.

Velasquez, 126 lbs of Guaynabo, PR won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 10-1.

Gullien, 124 lbs of Glendale, AZ is now 5-7-3.

Former U.S. Olympic bronze medlaist Deontay Wilder notched his tenth consecutive stoppage in bizarre fashion as he and Alvaro Morales got tangled up in round three of their scheduled eight round Heavyweight bout.

When the two fighters tangled, Morales fell to the ground and was down for several minutes. When he got to his feet he was willing to continue but his corner threw in the towel at 1:23 of round three.

Up until that point, Wilder looked very raw and unimpressive but the 219 lb Wilder of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 10-0. Morales, 291 lbs of Las Vegas is now 4-8-5.
Gomez, 140 lbs of Los Angeles is 2-0 with bot wins coming by knockout. Malfavon, 143 lbs of Santa Ana, CA is 0-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com., a proposed bout between WBO “Interim” Lightweight bout Michael Katsidis and IBF Jr. Lightweight champion Robert Guerrero is off due to Guerrero’s wife being seriously ill as her bout Leukemia has returned.

“It’s a very tough situation,” co-manager Shelly Finkel told ESPN.com. “He can’t fight like that. That’s what we all told him and he finally agreed. It’s too much.”

Guerrero’s wife, Casey, was diagnosed with leukemia two weeks before then-featherweight titleholder Guerrero was scheduled to defend his belt against Martin Honorio in November 2007.

Guerrero left his wife’s bedside just a couple of days before the fight, knocked Honorio out in the first round, and returned to his wife and their two children.

Casey Guerrero’s leukemia eventually went into remission but is back. She underwent a bone marrow transplant recently and has been at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., for about 10 days, Guerrero’s co-manager Bob Santos said.

“They won’t really know if the bone marrow is going to take, so we’re hoping that it does,” Santos said. “Robert wanted to fight. He thought he could spend half the day with her and train the other half the day, but she started to take a turn for the worse. I told him point blank there is no way I would allow him to fight. Me and Shelly had to talk him out of it. This is a tough sport and if he’s going to fight somebody like Katsidis you have to be 100 percent focused. With this situation, how could he be?”

“She had just been diagnosed and there was a lot of hope and optimism,” he said. “The doctorshttp://www.15rounds.com/wp-admin/media-upload.php?post_id=12472&type=video&TB_iframe=true were like, ‘We can try this and we can do that.’ In this case, it’s hit or miss. We just don’t know if the [bone marrow transplant] is going to work. If this doesn’t work there is nothing they can do for you. She’s at a point where if this doesn’t work, unless there is divine intervention, she’s in big trouble.

“I got the call and they said it’s very serious,” said Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, who promotes Guerrero. “All of our prayers are with Robert and his wife and we hope that she can pull through. I feel so bad. They have two young kids. I hope that she will be able to make it. His wife is fighting for her life. That is way more important than any fight in a ring.”