By Nick Bellafatto
Jumping into the mix at welterweight after a 15 month layoff without the benefit of even having fought at junior welterweight is not only to be regarded as entering uncharted waters, but something that former three-division champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KO’s) himself thinks is a bit on the wild side. To top it off, the Gilroy native isn’t just fighting anybody this Saturday night in front of his hometown fans at the HP Pavilion in nearby San Jose, California, but he’s taking on undefeated Selcuk “Mini Tyson” Aydin (23-0, 17 KO’s) of Trabzon, Turkey, a much avoided fighter who’s been rated # 1 by the WBC for nearly three years.
And however daunting a task this may seem for Robert as he entertains thoughts of a Thanksgiving feast at the expense of his opponent from Turkey, from Aydin’s point of view, he’s just ecstatic to be involved. For the power punching brawler who’s been reportedly ducked by Floyd Mayweather Jr., Victor Ortiz, and others for quite some time, just knowing he will finally be on display in a big way is quite fulfilling. To be able to face a well recognized fighter the likes of Robert Guerrero not only in the United States but on Showtime Championship Boxing, it’s simply the career highlight of the Ottoman fighter who’s been referring to himself lately as the “Ghostbuster.”
With that said, “The Ghost” in stepping up to face a man who’s knocked out 17 of his 23 opponents can only salivate at the prospects of defeating Aydin, knowing that he’s just one fight away from hitting pay dirt. With the WBC 147 pound interim title up for grabs, the winner is all but assured a shot at pound-for-pound prizefighter Floyd Mayweather Jr., should Floyd choose to defend that particular distinction. But if in fact “Money” Mayweather decides to vacate the welterweight ranks to maintain his newly acquired WBA 154 pound title strap, Robert has already hinted at moving up yet again if that’s where the big fights are.
But first thing’s first, as the Mexican fighter in his new weight class has plenty on his plate already. And after coming off of successful rotator cuff surgery, an injury which would cause a much anticipated bout with the formidable Marcos Maidana to be scrapped last Summer, Guerrero is eager to get back into the ring and make a statement. Not only is “The Ghost” looking to position himself for a well deserved payday, but he also has aspirations of garnering another major title in a fourth weight division. And not having been in action since April of 2011 where he dominated buzz-saw Michael Katsidis every which way, Robert believes he’s better than ever due to the fact that he has remedied an injury which had plagued him for years.
And no doubt “The Ghost” will have to be at his best in facing a hungry opponent in Aydin who not only said he didn’t know Robert Guerrero existed a short time ago, but he’s vowed to send the Gilroy native packing back down to the lighter weight classes from whence he came. “I am not planning to leave the decision to the judges,” Aydin said. “I didn’t come to California to outbox or outscore Guerrero. I am on a very simple mission…seek and destroy! Every other day I read somewhere that Guerrero is dreaming of fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao. He can dream whatever he wants when I put him to sleep. The first time I hit him, he will regret moving up in weight and accepting to fight me.”
A certain test for Guerrero who’s career has been on and off for the past few years in not only tending to his recent injury, but as is well known by now Robert took needed time off in regards to dealing with his wife Casey who had contracted leukemia. Fortunately things are looking up, for not only is Casey cancer free due to a successful bone-marrow transplant, but “The Ghost” is surely nearing the most pivotal part of his career where he hopes to be just as successful.
And however uncertain things may look from the outside being that Guerrero is jumping up two weight divisions here, he spars with middleweights and beyond, so that I don’t see moving up to welterweight as a particularly huge problem. How effective his power is at 147, and how well he takes a punch from Aydin of course is questionable, but these two factors in and of themselves may not figure in as much as some may anticipate. For not only is Robert always in top condition to go the distance, especially coming off his best training camp ever in the elevated regions of Lake Tahoe, California, but Aydin might find it difficult to effectively lay hands on the slick southpaw.
In fact, I surmise that the Mexican fighter will prove to be too seasoned, too versatile, and overall too dimensional for what appears to be a straight ahead one-trick pony in Selcuk Aydin, who in all likelihood will not be afforded an opportunity to land on his adversary in a way that he intends. The Turkish banger may have made efforts during the past few months to adjust to what he believes will confront him, but once the bell rings I believe Selcuk will find Guerrero a tough nut to crack.
And with Aydin constantly reminding his opponent that he’s on a mission to break his jaw, as well as put him to sleep in what is assuredly pre-fight psychological warfare, if the visiting fighter does exclusively come in looking for the knockout, that will no doubt work against him. At the end of the day, wading in trying to land a big right hand could just be the plan of a simpleton, as well as a tactic that will bode well for the highly skilled Guerrero who’ll be looking to run his opponent into an assortment of punishing blows.
