Photo by Gabe Rivas / Round By Round Boxing
With only a few days before his bout against David Lemieux, Middleweight contender Fernando Guerrero is ready to fight.
For now, however, all the Dominican-born fighter can do is stay as calm and relaxed as possible.
“I try to stay as calm as I can. I have to be patient, I can’t overthink or be overly excited,” Guerrero told Round By Round Boxing a few minutes before driving to LAX, where he boarded a plane en route to Canada.
One can only imagine the anxiety of traveling thousands of miles to another country to fight a tough opponent in his hometown. It is an anxiety that is only exacerbated by the different media events he has to go to, which include press conferences, media workouts, and a weigh-in.
Nevertheless, Guerrero is confident after having the best training camp of his career.
“By far, in the six years that I’ve been been a professional, this is one of the best training camps that I’ve ever had,” said Guerrero, after a workout where he shadowboxed and did a light run in a sweatsuit.
Guerrero feels that he has been prepared mentally and physically by a team that ensures there is mutual respect. Guerrero has been working closely with the Saucedo brothers and with strength and conditioning coach Paul-Brian McReynolds for this bout.
It is their second fight together as a team and, as the aura of confidence and calmness that exudes Guerrero as he speaks with us suggests, the team seems to be working well together.
“I see a big difference, mentally and physically. We both want to show what we have,” said Guerrero.
Both he and his team are hungry for a victory, which allows Guerrero to feel that he is in great hands.
Guerrero’s confidence and calm state of mind will be needed in what will be one of his toughest fights yet.
A few years ago, David Lemieux was quickly on the rise in the Middleweight division before two consecutive losses against Marco Antonio Rubio and Joachim Alcine.
After changing his team and his management, however, the Canadian 25-year-old is coming off of six straight victories, five of which were won by way of knockout.
It wasn’t with the best opposition, but a knockout ratio of his is something to be aware of.
Guerrero, however, is up to the challenge, feeling that a tough opponent will bring out the best in him.
“It’s going to be a great fight, I feel like he’s a great opponent to comeback and broadcast my talent,” said Guerrero
His team has prepared him well, but he knows that he will have to be careful in the ring. In 33 bouts, Lemieux has 29 knockouts and has only fought past the eighth round twice in his career.
Guerrero says he’ll take it one round at a time and that he’ll be alert in every one of them.
In a veritable crossroads fight, both fighters need to look good if they are to be given a shot at a world title.
“I’m not overlooking Lemieux, but you have to see the big picture and the big picture is the world title” concluded Guerrero, “as soon as I win this fight, I know we’ll be able to take over the world.”
