Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs) set out for South Lake Tahoe to begin training camp in preparation for his July 28 World Boxing Council Interim Welterweight World Title bout versus Selcuk “Mini Tyson” Aydin (23-0, 17 KOs), Guerrero’s team announced through a press release Monday.
“I’m here to face the toughest challenges and put myself in a position to get mega-fights,” Guerrero stated in the release. “It’s not going to be easy beating a full-fledged welterweight. That’s why my team and I will get the proper training, sparring and diet when I leave to camp. The mountains of Tahoe are set at high elevations, which will make for a great training camp.”
This is Guerrero’s first time training in the Tahoe area and he said he is looking forward to having a tremendous camp. Prior to his last fight (April 9 2011 against Michael Katsidis), Guerrero trained in Big Bear. He chose the same location in advance of last August’s proposed fight against Marcos Maidana before that showdown was canceled after Guerrero suffered his shoulder injury.
At last month’s the official news conference announcing the upcoming July 28 fight, Guerrero’s father and trainer Ruben Guerrero hinted at a change in location for camp this time around.
“Team Guerrero would like to thank SHOWTIME and Golden Boy for putting this event on at the HP Pavilion in San Jose,” Guerrero’s manager Bob Santos added to the announcement. “When you speak of a fighter who has competed in six different weight classes from 122 to 147 (pounds) as Guerrero is doing, it’s something special. I believe the only other active fighters that have done it are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Guerrero is a five-time world champion in three divisions and has all the makings of superstar.”
For the first time, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will broadcast live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, where fans will have the opportunity to watch history in the making, as Guerrero aspires to become the just the second Mexican-American fighter, other than Oscar De La Hoya, to win a world championship in four divisions across six weight classes. The winner between Guerrero and Aydin will become the mandatory challenger to face pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs).
Guerrero’s quest for the championship has him jumping up two weight classes – from lightweight to welterweight.
“This is my big opportunity to show the world that I belong with the elite fighters in boxing,” Guerrero said. “Everyone says it can’t be done. But I’m going to show the world (that) skipping super lightweight and going straight to welterweight with no tune up to challenge the No. 1 contender and beating Selcuk Aydin can be done. I look forward to making history for the Bay Area and all my fans across the world.”
