A lot of fighters can hit like a truck, but how many of them can fix one up?
Ruben Guerrero didn’t just instill a love of boxing in his son Robert. He also gave the fighter a lifelong love of steel, gas and rubber. When the two of them aren’t training for Robert’s fight against Keith Thurman on the debut Premier Boxing Champions card March 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the two of them are in the garage working on cars.
“I always had cars since I was young. I bought classics and restored them and sold them,” Ruben Guerrero said. “We get a lot out of it. It keeps us busy.”
It keeps the whole family busy, too. Robert and his five brothers all share a garage space. Ruben Jr. made a career out of customizing bikes—he calls himself the Jesse James of Gilroy, California.
The collection has some choice pieces, including a ’64 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport, a ’58 Impala hardtop for Ruben Sr. and a convertible of the same year for Robert. Ruben wants to add a ’57 Chevy and give his wife the ’58 Impala: his-and-her rides for the years of their birth. Robert already has his dream car polished up and ready to roll. It’s a glossy black 1948 Chevy Fleetline that’s just pure, rolling Americana.
“It’s one of those cars I built from the ground up and restored. It’s the car I’ve always had my eye on since I was a kid. It’s a straight six, so the fastest I’ve got it up to is about 75 [mph] at the most. It’s more of a cruiser, not muscle. That car you treat with love and respect.”
