LOS ANGELES, December 18 – Golden Boy Promotions is proud to announce that former two-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has been added to its roster of fighters. Guerrero signed with Golden Boy Promotions today and is slated to make his Golden Boy Promotions debut in early 2009..
“California has been known for its great world champions and Robert Guerrero is no exception to this rule as he is one of the most exciting young fighter in the sport today,” said President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya. “We can’t wait to get him another title shot and I am confident that he will lead the junior lightweight division in and out of the ring with his skill, power, determination and charisma.”
“One of my dreams is to be promoted by the best in the business and I think Golden Boy Promotions is the right company for my career,” said the former world champion. “De La Hoya has been my idol since I was a kid and I have always dreamed of being like him. I’m ready to get back in the ring and fight for a world title in 2009 and I’m happy to have Golden Boy in my corner.”
The Mexican-American 25-year-old Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (22-1-1, 15 KOs) had an impressive amateur career before moving into the pro ranks in 2001. Now, the former two-time world champion has developed into a two-fisted boxer-puncher who is dangerous in all aspects of the sweet science. The Bay Area native won his first world title on September 2, 2006 when he defeated Eric Aiken by eight-round technical knockout. “The Ghost” lost the belt in his first defense against Orlando Salido but after Salido was stripped of the belt for testing positive for steroids, Guerrero got another shot at the vacant belt. On February 23, 2007 he won the vacant IBF featherweight crown with an impressive ninth round TKO of “Denmark’s Warrior” Spend Abazi. In his last bout on February 29, Guerrero scored an eighth round knock out against Jason Litzau. Guerrero is ranked #5 by the IBF and #8 by the WBC in the junior lightweight division and is eager to get another world title shot in 2009.
A date and opponent for Guerrero’s debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner will be announced shortly.
Don King to Help Feed 2.2 Million at Christmas
Promoter Don King continues his over-40-year tradition of distributing turkeys to families in need during the holidays with an ambitious plan to distribute 100,000 turkeys—2.2 million pounds of turkey in all—in five states on Monday. Kelly Hiser of Kelly Oil has assembled an impressive team including Don King Productions, Inc., Kelly Oil, Cargill, Southwest Airlines and Feeding America. The goal of this year’s “Christmas Turkey Tour” is to disseminate 100,000 turkeys—20,000 turkeys in each of five states in a single day: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Longtime Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is pleased so see the Turkey Tour making a stop in his state.
“Don King’s efforts will make Christmas a happier time for many Mississippi families,” Barbour said. “I appreciate the fact that he hasn’t forgotten Mississippi in these years after Hurricane Katrina.”
King hopes the effort will feed over 2 million people.
“The rule of thumb when you cook turkey for the family is one pound per person,” King said. “With that simple homemaker math, we will give out enough turkey in one day to feed 2.2 million people.”
King added, “I’ve been doing this for the better part of my life, and at age 77, I can’t remember a more important year to be reaching out to those in need. That is why I am rallying with this great team to do the most we have ever done. These are hard times for far too many Americans this year, and the people in the Gulf States have been hit twice as hard with hurricanes and the economy in crisis. A turkey in as many pots as possible is our goal.”
Distribution sites are being coordinated by Feeding America for Houston, Texas; New Orleans, La.; Jackson, Miss.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Tampa Bay, Fla. There will also be additional distributions in Biloxi, Miss.; Miami, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and West Palm Beach, Fla.
“I can’t say enough about the generosity of Kelly Hiser at Kelly Oil, Cargill for the Pride of the Farm turkeys; Southwest Airlines for their help in transportation; and Feeding America in coordinating the distribution sites in five states,” King said.
“I have been asked, ‘Why would you want to try to fly to five states in one day to distribute turkeys?’ The answer is that in our great nation we have a lot of people who need help. In the spirit of America, we must come together to find ways and means to help as many people as possible.”