Robert Guerrero Jnr isn’t just carrying on the Guerrero family fighting legacy, he is looking to add to it with his own twist.
Guerrero faces Sean Armas in a four-round lightweight bout tonight at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will be on the undercard of junior middleweight titleholder Sebastian Fundora making the first defense of his belts against Chordale Booker.
Guerrero, the 18-year-old who now trains out of Las Vegas, is the son of former titleholder Robert Guerrero. His family has put decades into boxing in Gilroy, California. Guerrero Jnr has seen, first hand, what it takes to be a prizefighter.
“My family has such a rich history in boxing, heck my dad was fighting for the IBF world championship in Denmark while I was being born so it really motivates me to continue the legacy,” Guerrero Jnr told BoxingScene. "Growing up, I was always around the gym, watching my dad do his thing, so boxing has been in my blood from day one.”
Guerrero, 5-0 (2 KOs), knows it doesn’t come without a burden.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but also a great source of pride,” Guerrero said. “I want to make sure I do my family proud and bring my own twist to the Guerrero name in the ring.”
Armas, a 28-year-old from Pomona, California, will be fighting for the first time in the United States. He has built up a record of 6-1 (3 KOs), fighting in Mexico and Columbia. His lone defeat was a knockout loss in May. On paper, this is Guerrero’s toughest fight to date.
"I feel really proud of how far I've come,” Guerrero said. “It’s been a lot of hard work, and sacrifice, but I’m just getting started. I’ve learned a lot already, and each fight is a step toward becoming the fighter I want to be.”
