After convincingly dispatching Andre Berto in December, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero returns to action Saturday in Las Vegas in the biggest test of his career, taking on welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Well accustomed to rowing upstream throughout his career, Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs) has had to overcome problems in and out of the ring before his big break. He promised that he’ll be prepared to break Mayweather’s undefeated streak (43-0, 26 KOs) and described his opponent as an aged monarch who’s “not as fast on his feet like he used to be.”
At 36, Mayweather enters the bout coming off of another one-year layoff after his May 2012 victory over Miguel Cotto.
Here are five keys to victory for Guerrero against Mayweather: Ready, set, go! Guerrero should start quick against Mayweather by being aggressive, using combinations and taking over the center of the ring. Guerrero should turn on the pressure from the first minute of the first round, dominating the fight with his attitude. Mayweather is most vulnerable early in a fight against this strategy, as we saw in his two fights with Jose Luis Castillo. Even Miguel Cotto managed to hurt Mayweather when he fought aggressively.
Hey, body It’s not easy to hit Mayweather to the body, but Guerrero should try anyway. Landing punches in the soft parts means less leg movement for Mayweather. The best chance for Guerrero to beat Mayweather is by cutting off the ring and catching him against the ropes at close distance. How does Guerrero slow Mayweather down so as to accomplish that? More and more body blows.
Check the fuel As we mentioned, Guerrero needs to focus on aggression and a constant attack from the start. But at the same time, he could risk running out of gas too early in the fight and potentially would need to take a few rounds off to recover. The battle promises to go the distance and, like a good strategy in car racing, Guerrero should use the “pit stops” to refuel, breathe and return to action.
Look left and cross Mayweather has had problems in the past early in fights against left-handed opponents Zab Judah, DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley and Victor Ortiz. Guerrero, also a southpaw, should use that to his advantage by doubling up with the left hand but should be aware of Mayweather’s countershots. Guerrero can never forget that, on top of his experience, Mayweather also has a power advantage, and being exposed to counterpunches by an opponent of his class would mean saying goodbye early.
Win Saturday; enjoy forever Some opportunities come once in a lifetime. Facing the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world is a chance many fighters would die for — and not only because of the money. Building on his legacy, making history or taking a shortcut to the Hall of Fame will depend on whether Guerrero can overcome the odds and take home a resounding victory. To complete the upset, Guerrero will have to be ready to leave everything in the ring — and then some. Forget about the obstacles or the troubles of the past, winning Saturday would compensate for everything.
