Coming off the first stoppage loss of his esteemed 16-year professional career, former two-division world champion Robert Guerrero is retiring from the ring.
Robert "The Ghost” Guerrero, a former two-division world champion, is calling an end to his 16-year pro boxing career after being stopped for the first time in 42 fights by Omar Figueroa Jr. on Saturday night. (Ryan Greene/Premier Boxing Champions)
Robert Guerrero, 34, won world championships at 126 and 130 pounds and interim titles at 135 and 147 pounds after making his pro debut in April 2001.
“The Ghost” engaged in thrilling fights with some of the best boxers of his generation, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Andre Berto, Joel Casamayor and Orlando Salido.
After being knocked down five times Saturday night by former 135-pound champion Omar Figueroa Jr. in a third-round TKO loss in Uniondale, New York, Guerrero (33-6-1, 18 KOs) has decided to hang up his gloves.
"First, I want to thank God for allowing me to have a wonderful career,” Guerrero said. “I'm a kid from a small town in Gilroy, California, who made it to the mountain top of boxing. When I was a young kid growing up, I always believed in myself, but never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a small-town kid like myself would be fighting in front of millions of fans.
“I was blessed to win multiple world titles. A boxer's career is a long and tough road. Many tears were shed, lots of blood and tons of sweat. Many miles were traveled, thousands of rounds sparred, and none were easy and nothing was ever given to me. I earned everything I got the old-fashioned way. I never ducked anyone and fought the best fighters in the world. I fought my way through every obstacle to make sure my fans enjoyed every second of every round of my fights.
"I competed at [122 pounds] and won world titles across multiple weight classes, closing my career at [147], fighting the big guys 25 pounds heavier. A good friend always told me I was God's warrior, born to fight. I enjoyed every minute of every war. I represented my lord and savior Jesus Christ with the bible verse Acts 2:38 on my trunks. If I reached one person and brought that person closer to Christ, then it was all worth it.
“I want to thank some very important people in my career starting with the most important person, my father/trainer Ruben Guerrero Sr. He made me the man I am today, and the champion I was in the ring. My mother, Marcy Guerrero, for being a great mother and supporter. My wife, Casey Guerrero, who has been with me every step of the way, my soul mate, my sweetheart and the one and only love of my life. My brothers Sammy, Ruben Jr., Victor, Randy and especially Eric, who has been with me my whole career, my shadow every step of the way, my right-hand man. I want to thank my managers Bob Santos and Luis Decubas Jr. for being more than managers; they are family to me. My mother and father in-law, Shelly and Cary O'Neal. My cutman Ruben Gomez. My good friends, Dave Castro, Pastor Chris Avila, John Mersho, Albert Guarado and Hector Catano. My publicist Mario Serrano, who has also been with me the whole ride, he is also family. There are so many people who have helped me, if I leave anyone off, thank you for everything.”
- Topics
- Robert Guerrero
