INTERVIEW: ROBERT GUERRERO
By John McCormick

JM: On July 28th, you’ll be stepping into the ring with the undefeated Selcuk Aydin. What are your thoughts on Aydin?

Robert Guerrero: Well he is a very tough, undefeated fighter. He is a full-fledged welterweight and most of his victories have come by way of knockout. He can fight, he has punching power, and he is determined. I am sure he’ll be in top shape as he will be coming to the United States from Germany for this fight and he wants to keep his undefeated record. They call him mini-Tyson because that’s the way he fights, he comes to knock you out.

JM: Robert, do you feel as if you’re style isn’t appreciated in the mainstream boxing circle? If so, are you planning to use this fight as a platform to show the world you’re talent?

Robert Guerrero: This fight is huge for me, I know that. A win will place me as the mandatory challenger for Floyd Mayweather’s WBC welterweight title. I am sure that this fight will result in my name being a household name. I have had a lot of patience with myself and my career. When you have a lot of patience everything pays off.

JM: Before this fight was signed, your name was being mentioned as a possible opponent for Floyd Mayweather. There were rumors that actual negotiations took place between your team and Mayweather’s. Is there any truth to that?

Robert Guerrero: No.  We were just in the running to get the fight with Floyd. There was a lot of talk between my management and my publicist, Mario Serrano. We were pushing for the fight, we were one of the top names in the running to land the fight but no negotiations took place for that fight. My name was up there but unfortunately, I didn’t end up getting the fight. We are just going to keep on going; I am making my debut at welterweight.


JM: As you just said, a win against Aydin makes you the mandatory challenger for the WBC welterweight title. If you do win on July 28th, do you think you’ll be fighting Floyd Mayweather for that title or do you think you’ll be fighting for a vacant title?

Robert Guerrero: I have faith that I’ll be fighting Floyd for the title. I was in the running to land a fight with him on May 5th. My name was in the top three. Now, if I am the mandatory to fight him, he will honor it once he is finished with his incarceration. It is time for new blood, it is time for a new guy to come in, it is time to stop fighting recycled fighters and it is time to pass the torch.

JM: Recently, a lot of controversy has surrounded boxing concerning drug testing. In November 2006, Orlando Salido tested positive for a steroid immediately after defeating you [the result was then changed to a no-contest]. Looking back, what was it like to be in there with someone that was on a performance enhancing drug? Furthermore, what are your thoughts on random drug testing in boxing?

Robert Guerrero: I think the random drug testing is great because it is exposing everything on everybody. The sad part about it is that the testing is exposing some of these high profile fighters. To be in the ring with somebody that is on a performance enhancing drug is unbelievable. When I fought Orlando Salido, I hit him with shots that normally hurt guys bad or knocked them out, and he just walked right through them. I remember that night thinking “wow, this guy is unstoppable.” I just sucked it up and did what I had to do. But when you cheat, you get busted. That is the past though and I am moving on looking forward to fighting Aydin and eventually getting a shot at the welterweight championship.

JM: I have heard that you are currently working on a documentary?

Robert Guerrero: Yes, the documentary is great. It captures the life of a fighter, not just in the ring but outside of the ring as well. It captured the struggles of my wife fighting for her life [against cancer] during some of the biggest fights of my career, [and] the ability to be a father and a husband through those circumstances. It really captures how much of a juggling act it can be at a young age. The documentary shows that life is a fight itself, outside of the ring. It is going to be an amazing documentary and I can’t wait until it comes out because it will give a lot of people that are battling cancer a lot of hope and encouragement to keep on fighting. I encourage all my fans to go to www.RobertGuerrero.com and check out the trailer because it is going to be amazing.

JM: Any closing thoughts for the fans, Robert?

Robert Guerrero: I have been out for a year and I am very excited and hungry to get back into the ring. This is a big fight for me and I believe it is going to put me at the top. All my fans can follow me on twitter at @ghostboxing. What I am doing is moving up two weight classes, from lightweight to welterweight, which is rarely done. No tune ups, just me getting in there with one of the biggest punchers in the division that nobody wants to fight. I want to thank my fans for standing by me throughout the whole process of getting back into the ring. Thank God for my fans.


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