Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (30-1, 18
KOs) defends his interim welterweight title this Saturday against
two-time welterweight champion Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KOs) on HBO at the
Citizens Business Bank Arena, in Ontario , California .
The bout promises to be an exciting one as neither Guerrero nor Berto are prone to pose.
Guerrero, 29, has held titles in the featherweight and junior
lightweight division. His bout with the once beaten Berto is
unquestionably the toughest of his career. Guerrero won the interim
welterweight championship last July by outpointing a determined Selchuk
Aydin in San Jose . Guerrero has been anxious to fight a well-known
“name” in the welterweight division for some time.
Berto, 29, was part of the crowd that night in July. He’s the ‘name’
Guerrero was looking for. Berto respects Guerrero as a person, but not
that much as a fighter.
“He’s [Guerrero] pretty mechanical,”
Berto told the Boxing Channel. ”He does everything by a textbook. Not
too much speed, not too much power. My advantage is speed and power.”
On the other hand, Guerrero has been very complimentary of his opponents boxing ability.
“Berto is a great fighter,” said Guerrero to www.bleacherreport.com.
“He’s done a lot in this sport, so whether people think he’s been
brought up soft or not, you can’t take away the fact that he’s a
two-time world champion.”
Guerrero’s bout with Aydin was his first at 147 lbs. He found Aydin’s
chin easily with hooks, but was never able to hurt the hard charging
fighter from Turkey . Berto hasn’t fought since dispatching Jan Zaveck
14 months ago. The layoff wasn’t something he anticipated. Earlier this
year Berto tested positive for norandrosterone, a detectable metabolite
of nandrolone, forcing the cancelation of his anticipated rematch with
the only man ever to beat him, Victor Ortiz.
Berto claimed the positive test was due to contamination from a
nutritional supplement or food. The California State Athletic Commission
investigated his claims. The Commission believed the fighter’s
evidence. The question now is whether Berto is ready for someone of
Guerrero’s skill after being off for over a year. His “what me worry’
confidence was evident during the most recent press conference. He was
also less critical of Guerrero.
“Me and Aydin are two completely different
fighters,” Berto said. “Aydin just kept his hands in tight and walked
forward like a punching bag all night. Robert did what he had to do and
he looked good.”
Berto feels that any lingering rustiness’ will be gone by fight night.
“We’ve been having tremendous work here (at
his camp in Winter haven , Fla. ), working with tremendous southpaws,”
said Berto. “I’m in great shape. If there is some (ring) rust it should
shake off quickly because I’ve been working my ass off.”
The Guerrero camp has been just as intense as Berto’s, but with one difference.
“It’s
different because we are training out here in Las Vegas in high
elevation. Everything as far as training is pretty much the same. My
dad and I are working on some new things but not to out of the ordinary.
I feel great and strong.”
It feels here
that Guerrero will have an edge on Saturday night. His southpaw style
could give Berto problems (like Victor Ortiz). Berto will make the fight
exciting. His pressure will force Guerrero to venture to places he’s
never been.
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