Guzman currently owns an unblemished record of 27-0 with 17 KOs. Without a doubt he has become one the two greatest boxers from the Dominican Republic, if not the greatest. He is the only two-time world champion in the island nation’s history.  Guzman has held the WBO version of the 122 pound title and successfully defended it on five occasions. Then in September of last year, he skipped a weight class and wrested the 130 pound strap from the rugged Argentinean Jorge Barrios. Now Guzman is looking to further entrench himself in history as becoming a three-time world champion. Not only is Guzman chasing another world title but he is in pursuit of the informal title of being called pound for pound the best in boxing. In order to do this he has set his sights on super featherweight Manny Pacquiao.

“Pacquiao is perfect for me. That’s what I like a guy who is going to bring it. I truly believe that his style and mine make for a great fight. Leonard and Duran and Ali and Frazier, the reason that these fights were so great and have lasted the test of time is that  they were tremendous fighters but they all had distinct styles,” Guzman.

The two-fisted Philippine sensation Pacquiao is seen as the reckless brawler whose defense is his good offense. While Guzman is now seen as the crafty and slick counter punching pugilist. There is some irony because when Guzman burst onto the American scene he was anointed with the nickname “Little Tyson.” The moniker came about because of his physical built and also his well documented punching power. However the comparison with Mike Tyson says Guzman was really overblown. Guzman has always considered himself a boxer rather than just a slugger. Guzman says he’s a boxer first and foremost and always has taken great pride in that.

“I have wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao for a long time now and I am willing to fight him any time and anywhere, this is the fight that needs to happen,” Guzman.

This sentiment is also echoed by his manager Jose Nuñez. According to Nuñez, Team Guzman has received the blessings from the dual promotional tandem that promotes his man. Golden Boy Promotions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions support any decision Team Guzman may make regardless of any current legal issues occurring between GBP and Top Rank.

“I think it’s a fight that will get done, and I know Bob (Arum) wants to make the fight happen. He and his company are all about putting it on the best fights out there. I also know that Pacquiao being the type of champion he is wants to fight the best. I truly believe the only ones who don’t want to see this fight take place are advisors that Pacquiao has, who are looking out for their best interest,” Nuñez.

Nuñez did not give specific names however; one of those interested parties that he was most likely alluding to was the famed Pac-Man trainer Freddy Roach. With all this mentioning of styles, there may not be a bigger contrast between Pacquiao and Guzman than that of their chief seconds. Recently Guzman has acquired the services of the once self proclaimed best trainer in the world Floyd Mayweather Sr. Mayweather and his newest protégée meshed well, since their union back in April. During this time Guzman and Floyd Sr. used two months in Las Vegas, to get themselves acquainted. Mayweather Sr. was so impressed by Guzman that he was quoted by several outlets as saying Guzman has got to be considered in the handful of pound for pound elite.

“At first it was hard. I thought him being a famous trainer he would not give me the attention that I wanted. I was a little apprehensive at the move. There are trainers and there are teachers. Floyd is both. I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time with him. He has fixed mistakes and has made me watch tapes and through that I’ve become a better student of boxing,” Guzman.

Guzman feels that Mayweather’s teaching will bring out the best of him. Also to his fans he wanted to assure them that he will still be the Guzman who fights with passion and pride. At times the Mayweather defensive method is seen as rather boring. The Dominican star says that this won’t be the case. That the beauty of working with his new trainer is that he has also adapted to him and his own natural strength. “I will still be the same Guzman that my people have rooted for. I have just be tweaked and I will become a better more polished champion,” Guzman.

Guzman also shoots back at his critics who have questioned his punching prowess since his jump up in weight. Guzman’s last six opponents have all gone the distance.

“I feel strong and even more so than when was at 122. In those days I was draining myself and my body. I was cheating my strength because it used to be very hard for me to make that weight for a long time. My hands are fine also, they feel great and anyone who doubts my power is making a big mistake”, Guzman.

Guzman has not seen action since his 2006 December 18th title defense against Howard Davis. Guzman was slated to face current WBO 135 pound title holder Michael Katsidis this pasty May. This HBO main event was scrapped due to an injury that the 31 year old Guzman sustained in training. Nevertheless Guzman says that his injury is no longer a factor. In fact this latest injury is actually the first real injury Guzman faced since he took up the sport.

“What happened was that Floyd noticed when I was throwing my left hook that I was not landing it the way he had seen me land it before. I tried to train through it, but it was too much. I got it checked out and it was what I thought it was an injury to my wrist. When I was 11 years old I was messing around in the gym back home and something got into me and I jumped on the heavy bag like if I was Spiderman and the bag came crashing down on me. The weight of the bag and me hitting the floor hard made a bone in my wrist stick out of place, since that day it has kind of been with me. I guess through my training I just re-aggravated,” Guzman.

“Look I respect Pacquiao. He is very good, but I am better. I don’t think that he’s the second best fighter in the world; there are a lot of other guys out there. If he beats me than I’ll put him up there, but I want to be considered at the top of the sport also, the paper work has been made out I am just waiting on his answer,” Guzman. 

Guzman says that a jump to the lightweight division is not of the question if the situation is right. Guzman and Nuñez are optimistic about this mega fight with Pacquiao happening. However Nuñez says that he does not want to just sit and wait around, for a reply. Nuñez and that the time is of the essence and the only factor that can prevent this bout from happening is Pacquiao and his team.

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