Pedro Guevara`s Championship hunt ten years on

By James Blears

WBC Interim super-flyweight Champion Pedro Guevara, who is challenging Absolute Champion Jessie Bam Rodriguez on November 9th, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, is working diligently and with dedication, to fulfil a dream ten years on from winning the World Boxing Council`s light flyweight crown.

Pedro has built an impressive record of 42-4-1, including 22 KO`s. While Jessie`s record is 20-0, with 13 KO`s.  Pedro has fought 329 rounds as a pro, while Jessie has fought 110 rounds. Pedro is thirty five while  Jessie is a youthful twenty four. To surmount and conquer the age difference, Pedro has been training like a hermit for almost three months at High Altitude in Jilotepec in The State of Mexico.  He had done three weeks of training there in preparation for a fight scheduled for October 11th, but then this opportunity arrived and he`s determined to seize and capitalize upon it with both hands. So, he`s bolted on another two months of spartan training to be in the most superb tip top  condition of his career.

At his no frills training camp, meticulously guided by his Coach Jose Adalberto Sanchez, Pedro is focused and looking forward to this awesome Mandatory Challenge. He said: ”My training now is at its peak and it is very exacting, but we are accustomed to work extra hard and so much more for this one, because it`s going to be a hard and tough fight. This is for the super-flyweight championship of the world. I`m lowering down my weight trimming nicely, to be totally ready and prepared for the fight on November 9th in Philadelphia.

”I can`t count the amount of rounds I`ve already sparred. I`ve sparred so many rounds over so many days with different kind of southpaws. The main aim is to be sweet, quick and faster, and working at a fast pace.”

Pedro has carefully studied the fight in which Jessie stopped Juan Francisco Estrada with a crunching left to the body in round seven. He had already dropped Gallo in the fourth and then Gallo responded, by decking him hard in round six. Pedro says: ”It was an Estrada that I`ve never seen. I don`t know what happened with him. I trust in his preparation and his experience, but Jessie Rodriguez upset all that work KO`ing Estrada. So, we ourselves are training for a fighter who looks very strong, but we have done a good job, assessing and thinking all about that. There are no easy fights at this level, but I feel fresh and so young and ready. The hard and arduous training, plus intelligence can give me the victory, and I`m hungry for greatness.

”I`m dreaming about this a lot, and I was asking God for an opportunity. Right now, we are in a great position and I`m fighting for the third time for the WBC world championship. It is so important and interesting. It`s a great achievement for me and I`m going to take this opportunity. I want to be one of the best Pound for Pound fighters and winning this fight will make it possible.”

Pedro confided that Juan Manuel Marquez recently phoned him with some sage advice, which involves, moving, boxing and fighting smart in  a highly disciplined mode, focusing and concentrating every moment and instant throughout.

A dedicated Student of the Noble Art, Pedro has done extensive homework and strategy studies about Jessie, but he`s prudently keeping his cards close to his chest. He stressed with a chuckle, yet prudently:

”As for my assessment of Jessie, I could talk so much more than I actually can, but I can tell you that I`m more hungry for this than anyone. That is the motivation for me. Sure, I`m the underdog for this fight, but this really fires me up and I promise to you and all of my fans that I`m going to win!

”I have heart, faith and thinking of my family during the long hours and  during long tough days of training in Estado de Mexico.  My baby daughter Gibrany Alejandra was born on October 15 and this will be a great gift for her.”