It has been two years since Gilroy native Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero fought in front of a hometown crowd, but local fans that have been waiting for the boxer to fight on Bay Area soil once again will have to wait no longer.
On Saturday, August 27 Guerrero will make his ring return on home turf when he takes on Marcos Maidana at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim 140 pound title.
The fight—promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s promotional company, Golden Boy Promotions—will be televised by cable giant HBO.
“It’s going to be close to home, all the home town fans get to come out and watch and enjoy the fight we are going to put on,” Guerrero said at a press conference. “I am super excited and can’t wait.”
Maidana is considered one of the best 140 pounders in the division. He has 30 wins, with 27 of those wins by way of knock out, and only two losses.
Maidana’s most impressive win of his career was a sixth round TKO victory over the current WBC Welterweight titlist Victor Ortiz.
Maidana is considered a puncher—a fighter who has power in both hands and the ability to end a fight with one punch.
Many believe that Guerrero’s south paw style might give Maidana problems, but Maidana is not concerned with it at all.
“I fought south paws before,” said Maidana. “I beat Victor Ortiz easily when we fought, so facing a south paw doesn’t concern me.”
Guerrero (29-1-1) will be moving up in weight to face Maidana at the 140 pound weight limit.
There are many questions that arise when a fighter moves up in weight, like if a fighter will be fast enough and be able to take the heat from the new division.
These questions will be answered on August 27, but for now Guerrero insists that moving up in weight will not be a problem.
“My walk around weight is 152 pounds,” said Guerrero. “Moving up in weight helps because I do not have to lose the extra five pounds to drop to a hundred and thirty five pounds. I feel stronger and faster in the gym. I feel like I have gained speed. I am going to surprise Maidana with my power.”
Guerrero is hoping a victory in this fight will lead to a matchup with Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.
“That fight is always on my mind,” he said. “There are so many fights out there. This fight opens up the door to those fights.”
But for now Guerrero will go up against Maidana, a fight that has the potential to showcase some serious fireworks and has many in the boxing community buzzing with anticipation.
