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01/18/2005 Archived Entry: "Interview: Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero"
Interview: Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero
By Mike Doss (courtesy of www.15rounds.com )
When someone mentions the word “religion,” boxing usually is not the first thing that comes to mind. It is the most brutal of all sports. However, everyone would agree that it’s a sport that can use all the religion it could get.
The sport has been able to capture only a handful of spiritual fighters; men like Chris Byrd or Evander Holyfield, both of whom have used the gospel as a tool for motivation.
They give praise every chance they get – not just after the fight or following a victory – and they can even bring to tears the people who truly love this game: When Bronco McKart lost his WBA title shot to Tarvis Simms, just before the decision was announced, both warriors were not busy taunting the crowd or flexing their muscles, instead, they stood together in prayer; a compelling scene that made you wish there were no losers in the sweet sport. When Chris Byrd defended his IBF title against Jameel McCline, they also embraced and prayed.
This sport, which so often suffers, needs more humble figures like the ones mentioned; that show emotion and make great role models for kids looking upon. And in 21 year old Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, you have just that. He is just 14-0 as a pro. But don’t let his unblemished and relatively youthful record deceive you; his maturity at such a young age is nothing short of inspiring.
The Gilroy, California native has been on fire lately scoring two very good victories over Enrique Sanchez and most recently, a four round destruction of Cesar Figueroa.
15Rounds.com was recently able to get a few words in with “The Ghost.” And quite honestly, this writer was humbled by the young man with so much drive and ambition. He is a true role model for not only children but for people twice his age; a person who only credits one force for all of his achievements, and is not afraid to say it: A true class-act.
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Michael Doss: First off Robert, How is everything going?
Robert Guerrero: Everything is going good. The training is good … working hard and just busy getting ready for the next one.
MD: Who is the next one going to be?
Guerrero: I’m not sure what is going to be lined up, but they said something about a date at the end of February or early March. It will be a defense of my NABF title.
MD: Do you think that your next fight will be a step above Cesar Figueroa, or a top 10 kind of guy?
Guerrero: Yeah, I am looking forward to stepping up into tougher competition to really make a move for that title shot.
MD: Your team is real close with you and seem to be doing great things for your career. When do you guys expect a title shot?
Guerrero: I’m looking for a shot by October … September … in there somewhere.
MD: What motivated you to start boxing?
Guerrero: My family were all fighters … my grandfather was a fighter, my uncles, my brothers … I even have an aunt that fought.
MD: You had an aunt that fought?
Guerrero: Yeah, I have an aunt that fought as an amateur, when she was a little girl. I grew up watching boxing. My brothers were always in the gym. I just fell in love with boxing and kept going and going.
MD: What kind of amateur experience did you have?
Guerrero: I had a pretty good amateur career. I was a junior Olympic gold medalist … took the “outstanding fighter.” I was a national PAL Champion, the blue and gold of Los Angeles … I took Gold there. And The 2000 Olympic trials – at 16 years old – right after that I turned pro.
MD: Ever since you turned pro a lot of things have been going great for you. You had some good wins and even received some good exposure. What, to you, is the secret of your success?
Guerrero: Jesus Christ! Putting God first! My savior Jesus Christ first, and boxing after … and just working hard got me where I’m at … and my game has really elevated.
MD: How long have you known what god has planned for you?
Guerrero: Since I was a kid. Growing up, I was always praising the lord. And since I started boxing, I’ve been praising the lord hard because this is a tough sport. No time for play, no joking around, you got to just take care of business, and also take care of business with the lord. And if you put the lord first you can do anything … anything is possible!
MD: You said that you want to step it up and possibly get a title shot soon. At the weight limit you are at and the surrounding weight classes there are quite a few champions overseas. Jose Navarro just lost a controversial decision in Japan, Rocky Juarez is planning to go to Korea and fight In Jin Chi, what are your thoughts about having to possibly go overseas to win a title?
Guerrero: I have no problem going anywhere to fight because when you have the lord Jesus Christ by your side you fear nothing. Fear nothing and no one! And like I said before, with Jesus Christ anything is possible.
MD: So to you, HE is the only judge; not the three judges outside the ring right?
Guerrero: Yes! God has a plan for everybody. If it’s not meant to be, it just not meant to be. If it is, well, then THANK GOD!
MD: After everything is said and done … and your career is over, what are your plans after boxing?
Guerrero: I want to be a Christian minister and just keep spreading the word, and I really feel hat it will be bigger than boxing, way bigger than boxing.
MD: Lets say ten or twenty years from now, someone mention the name “Robert Guerrero,” what do you want them to think when they hear that name?
Guerrero: Jesus Christ, a man that praises the lord and that is not ashamed of it.
MD: God is your main drive in this game, correct?
Guerrero: Oh yeah!
MD: Any last comments for your fans?
Guerrero: Just God bless them all and thanks for watching and keep watching because the lord is going to bless me to do big things.
MD: Good luck from all of us at 15rounds.com … take care and God bless.
Guerrero: God Bless!
A special thanks to publicist Mario Serrano and Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero.
