One is known for wearing a Greek warrior costume into the ring before his fights, honoring both his ancestry and his combative style. The other’s last name literally translates to “warrior” in the language of his Mexican ancestors. But when they climb through the ropes at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday (HBO PPV, 9 p.m. ET), it will be more than a clash of warriors. Michael Katsidis and Robert Guerrero will fight for pride, country and a chance to throw their hats into the ring for the biggest fights in boxing’s elite division. In spite of their numerous achievements, both fighters believe they still have much to prove, and the interim lightweight titles at stake should be just a prelude to bigger and better challenges ahead. We caught up with Guerrero during his training camp in Las Vegas to get his thoughts on the fight.
What can you tell us about your training for this fight? Training has gone very well. I’ve been out here in Las Vegas getting ready for this fight. This is the first time I’ve been in a training camp for a very long time. I’m 100 percent ready for this fight. My wife is doing so good now [Casey Guerrero’s cancer is in remission] that I am able to get out to a training camp and concentrate on boxing and getting ready to fight.
This will be your fourth fight above 130 pounds. How do you feel at your new weight? I feel much stronger. I already feel like a full-fledged 135-pounder, and I feel very strong at this weight. I feel very good at lightweight and that’s where I am going to stay.
You will be fighting for two interim world titles. Do you consider them a shot at a third world title in as many weight classes, or are they merely a way to get a crack at a real title? I do look at it as another title in a new weight class, and I’m excited that I will get a chance to win a new world title. It puts me in line to get bigger fights. There are a bunch of great fights out there. There’s Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao is out there, Floyd Mayweather, Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley. [Erik] Morales, too, now that he’s back. There are a lot of great fights out there, and I don’t have a problem moving up to 140 pounds to get those opportunities. I am interested in moving up.
Many father-son relationships end poorly in boxing. What’s the secret to the long and successful working relationship with your father? I think the secret is that my father and I respect each other a lot. We’ve been together since I started, and that’s the way I was raised — I was taught to show respect to my father and I always make sure everything works fine between us. And to achieve that, sometimes I need to forget my ego and listen to what he says all the time. He’s most effective in the training part, he gets me ready for the fights, he pushes me and drives me through them, and he puts me through training, reminding me that I have to do all the hard work.
What do you think Michael Katsidis will bring to the table that you’ve seen from no other fighter in your career? He’s tough and he comes to fight. He puts on a lot of pressure and throws a lot of punches. He always does that and gives a tough fight. He brings a lot to the table, but we have a good game plan.
Katsidis is an up-front, very physical fighter. Are you going to try to outbox him or outhustle him in the short range? I’ve got a few different strategies and different game plans. I just want to get up there and see what Michael Katsidis brings to the fight and pick it up from there.
How do you see the fight developing in your mind, round by round? I see an exciting and explosive fight. I will be coming out looking to take control and get in the fight and dominate him.
Diego Morilla is a contributor to ESPNdeportes.com.
