As Robert Guerrero returns to the ring Friday for his first fight in eight months, he does so as a full-fledged lightweight.
?The Ghost is no longer the skinny matador who last fought as a featherweight in February 2008. And when he gave up his IBF junior lightweight title in February to help his wife endure the aftermath of a bone-marrow transplant, he left the 130-pound division for good. Wife Casey continues to show no new signs of leukemia as she strives to build her new immune system.
The more Robert moves up, the less he?ll rely on his length (he?s 5-foot-8) and the more he?ll take advantage of his strength and quickness.
You?ll notice the increase in strength immediately Friday when Guerrero (26-1-1, 17 knockouts) squares off against Robert Arrieta (35-15-4, 17 knockouts) at the Tropicana in Las Vegas on TeleFutura (Ch. 20 on Comcast Bay Area). We may end up questioning why the 27-year-old from Gilroy didn?t move up to 135 earlier.
?I could have stayed at 130 a lot longer,? Guerrero said April 20 at an open workout in East San Jose, and ?I accomplished what I accomplished at 126 and 130.?
Therefore,, ?I think it?s the right time.?
So does his dad, Ruben Guerrero. ?He?s stronger and faster? at 135,? said Ruben, who said Robert?s footwork remains his No. 1 asset at the higher weight. “The more he goes up, the better he fights.?
Ruben, who was not the lead trainer when Robert lost a close decision to Gamaliel Diaz in 2005 (which he avenged in 2006) by not being aggressive enough during the first half o the fight, and that?s what makes father and son confident that an aggressive tack is the right one and that 135 is the right weight.
?We?re gonna fight at 135,? Ruben summarized, ?and we?re gonna go for another title from there.?
