Boxingtalk caught up with former US Olympian, Rocky Juarez and got his thoughts on his upcoming title fight against Robert “ The Ghost”Guerrero.  This fight is scheduled for September 15, 2007 at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Juarez knows exactly how important this fight is for his career, and he plans to capitalize on the opportunity.


BT – Rock you got a big IBF title fight coming up against current IBF champ, Robert Guerrero, give me your thoughts on this fight.

RJ – Man, I am looking forward to September 15th, it's another shot for me to get a world title.  Robert Guerrero is looking to keep his title, and I am looking to take it from him.  This will make this a tremendous fight.

BT – Do you think that Robert's height will create any problems for you in the ring?

RJ – I have seen a lot of fights lately with right handers vs southpaws, I been studying them.  A lot of these guys that I have been studying have more tools than Guerrero has.  It's not so much him, but it's the right handers that have been showing slight things on how to fight a southpaw.  Throughout my amateur career I had 16 defeats and only 2 were by southpaws.  I  have never had a problem with southpaws, but I do hate fighting southpaws.   I feel Guerrero has an advantage with the height, but everybody who fights me has that advantage over me. He brings hunger into the ring to keep his title, and he knows how I feel to want to take the title.

BC – Do you go into this fight with even more hunger than before. You came up short against Barrera twice ( first fight controversial).

RJ – Definitely, I am questioning myself, is this it?  This fight will determine a lot about my future in boxing.  I have more hunger now than ever, to become the world champion in any sanction is great, and I  am looking to take the IBF.

BC – Will your hook be a fundamental weapon in this fight?

RJ – Well the right hand even more, that's the key to fighting a southpaw.  People know me as a left hook puncher, but I have shown in past fights that I can hurt you with my right hand too.  I need to throw punches, this is for the IBF world title, it's all or nothing.

BC – What do you take from your fights against Barrera into the ring against Guerrero?

RJ – Well this is Guerrero's biggest outing.  I am the biggest name that he has fought, and this is the biggest card that he's ever been on. This isn't my first rodeo, I have been in the big fights, and the big cards.  I think he has the pressure, not me.  I just need to get in there and kick ass.  This is my shot, nothing against Guerrero, he's a good fighter, but I am looking to go in there and take his title.

BC – Will you rely on your experience as another tool to get you the title?

RJ – I am older, and I have been in the limelight.  I have fought in front of the big crowds, it's nothing new to me.  Regardless of all of that, I am a hungry man.  If I was fighting Guerrero in Mexico, in a junkyard, I would be just as hungry as  fighting at the MGM.  I have always dreamed of becoming a world champion.  I never really dreamed of being an Olympian, I dreamed of being a world champion.

BC – I am guessing that you will be bringing in some tough southpaws to spar with in preparation for this fight.

RJ – Yes, one is Leon Bobo.

BC – Leon Bobo is a tough fighter, he would be an excellent sparring partner.

BC – Rock, is there anything that you would like to say in closing?

RJ – I want to tell the fans that due to my last performance, this fight, I will make up for that fight.  I don't have the words to say how hungry I am for this fight.  My brain just can't think of defeat, I am looking as if every round will be my last round.  I have only lost to a legend in Barrera, and a current world champion in Humberto Soto. Guerrero is a good fighter, but I have fought better.  The title motivates me, it's all or nothing so stay tuned!  Thanks to all of my fans, you guys will see a new born Rocky Juarez!

M

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