The title quote may be a little shocking to some fans of Roberto “The Ghost” Guerrero. Long viewed as one of the sport’s all-around “good guys,” Guerrero’s wholesome family image and devotion to his wife through her battle to overcome cancer has made a walking feel-good story, but not the marquee TV and PPV star he desires..
Over the last year, Guerrero has been much more vocal in press releases and interviews, claiming superstars as high as Floyd Mayweather are ducking him and his willingness to face all challengers. While the former point was ridiculous to many, Guerrero made good on the second with a July victory over Selcuk Aydin, a win where Guerrero jump two weight classes from lightweight to welterweight. The high-caliber fight is here this Saturday on HBO World Championship Boxing when Guerrero faces Andre Berto, a fighter most expect to bigger, stronger and quite possibly faster than him. Though a clear underdog, Guerrero remains confident that he’ll not only get the victory, but deliver a masterclass performance that puts the boxing world on notice.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You’ve been very amused by some of Berto’s claims that he’ll run over you. What do you think he’s underestimating about you?
Guerrero: Probably my punching power and thinking I’m too small for the welterweight division. In the press conference, I think he saw how big I am. Far as height I’m about an inch or two taller than him.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Most people have been correctly critical of Berto’s defense or lack thereof. As a fighter scouting him, do you think he’s improved or regressed in let’s say he’s past 2-3 fights?
Guerrero: Not at all on improvements. I think at this stage Berto is who he is. He’s comes in great shape, is strong and has power in that right hand. But after that I don’t see him changing his style any [for me]. He’ll do what he’s comfortable doing and I’ll take advantage.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: In your last fight with Selchuk Aydin, I noticed in the last few rounds you got tired but continued trading rather than holding for breathers. Was that conscious effort to help dispel that boring tag some critics have put on you?
Guerrero: Yeah, I like to exchange punches with guys. Was there fatigue down the stretch? Yes. You look at the punch output, it was close to 1000 punches. After being off for a year and a half there was some ring rust and not being able to relax the way I should have been and usually do. But, when you move up two weight classes you have to get used to the size and a different kind of pressure. I have to chop them down.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jYPlMgSnqw&feature=youtube_gdata_player]Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Has it been hard for you not to get resentful of the opportunties other Golden Boy fighters in and around your weight class have gotten over the last year while you waited on the shelf?
Guerrero: Oh no, not resentful at all. I don’t look at what the next man is doing. I’m going to do what I gotta to get where I’m at. I’ll keep trucking into it falls into place and now, it’s falling into motion with Berto.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What can you give me about the strategy you took into training camp for Berto?
Guerrero: I’ll have everything when it comes to inside and outside fighting. I’ll change it up when I have to. Because I cover everything, I’m able to adjust to anything in the ring.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Both you guys have fast hands but it’s open to debate who’s faster now that you’ve jumped two weight classes. Do you feel you’ve kept an advantage there?
Guerrero: I think we match up pretty good there. Berto does have naturally fast hands. But the thing is I can keep up that speed for 12 rounds.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What did you learn from the Aydin fight that will help you against Berto?
Guerrero: You have to be ready for all different types of styles. Berto’s a completely different fighter from Aydin; he’s got more speed and is more versatile in the ring. Aydin was just a tough, strong guy who came forward who was just going to try to break you down like a wrecking ball.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsel3xwPNyc&feature=youtube_gdata_player]Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: It’s rare to have to prepare for a fight Thanksgiving weekend. How did you deal with it being a family man?
Guerrero: My thoughts going into the fight is yes it’s the holiday season, but if I beat Berto it leads to bigger things so my family would have a better Thanksgiving [next year].
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: I thought you were joking before, but you sounded very serious today in saying you’d move up to 154 if need be. What makes you so confident you can keep scaling these weight classes? Is it the sparring with bigger guys?
Guerrero: Oh yeah definitely, I’m always sparring guys bigger than me even going back to my days at 122 and 126 pounds. Recently I’ve sparred guys who were 160 pounds. Being a naturally strong and tall guy with good reach and all that, plus being confident in my skill set let’s me know I can do it.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Over the last year your team was very heavy with press releases trying to drum interest in a Floyd Mayweather fight. Floyd didn’t bite and he may not fight any time soon. So who’s some of the other big names you feel are realistic options should you defeat Berto?
Guerrero: There’s guys a lot of guys like Pacquiao, Marquez and Timothy Bradley. Most definitely the guy still on my radar is Mayweather. As soon as he’s ready to make a fight we’re ready to do it. But we have to keep 100% focus on beating Berto decisively to get that opportunity.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: I’ve seen you tired, but never hurt in the ring unless I’m mistaken…
Guerrero: No, I’ve never been hurt or buzzed in the ring. I enjoy it when I get hit hard because it makes me want to hit the guy back even harder.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You haven’t got a knockout in the last two fights but you’ve put a lot of leather on your opponents. With Berto, can you land enough to not only hurt him, but finish him unlike Victor Ortiz?
Guerrero: Oh, you don’t want anyone to get injured where it’s life-threatening. But my motto is, when I’ve got that foot on his neck I’m gonna break it! I’m gonna go all out until it’s over. That’s the mentality I have going into the ring. If I don’t knock Berto out, that’s unfortunate for him because he’s gonna take a beating for 12 rounds.
Robert Guerero vs. Andre Berto airs live tonight on HBO World Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET
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