One of the biggest fights of 2012 is coming to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., on Saturday, November 24 when former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto faces Four-Division and Six-Time World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.
This 12-round matchup, a surefire “Fight of the Year” candidate, will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing. The event will also feature two compelling co-featured bouts with unbeaten rising star Keith “One Time” Thurman facing his toughest test to date when he takes on former World Champion Carlos Quintana in a junior middleweight showdown and WBA Interim Lightweight World Champion Richar Abril taking unbeaten WBA #3 rated lightweight contender Sharif “The Lion” Bogere for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship.
“I’m happy to be back and to be fighting someone as talented as Robert Guerrero,” said Berto. “It’s a great challenge for me to face one of the best coming off of my layoff. I know I have the ability to be the best in my division and in the sport, and proving that to everyone starts with this fight.”
“I am looking forward to this opportunity and it will be a nice way to spend the holiday weekend doing what I love to do which is to fight,” said Guerrero.
“Berto has proven himself over the years as one of the best, but I am confident that I will come out on top and close out 2012 with a big win. I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and a win over Berto over Thanksgiving weekend will be one more thing to add to that list.”
“There are a lot of fighters saying they are the best, but not everyone is willing to prove it in the ring,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.
“Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero put on a show every time they step through the ropes and I’m excited that they’ll be putting on a show against each other on November 24. On Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be giving thanks that we have a great fight between two of the best young fighters in the world and I know they’ll be giving everything they have to walk out of that ring victorious.”
Andre Berto, Former Two-Time World Champion
“I’ll use my speed, power and I’ll be smart against Guerrero. “I’m already in shape and ready to work.
“I’m hungry. Sometimes you have to go through tough times, sit back, appreciate what you have in life and move forward.
“I went through a hell of a year for me. Now I’m back to the basics. This is what I needed.
“I want to make statements with my fights, not take tune up fights. I know the level of fighter that I am and that’s what I expect from my opponents too.
Robert Guerrero, Four-Division & Six-Time World Champion
“I believe I can knock him out. I want to send him home hurting and damaged.
“They don’t give me the credit I deserve, so I just have to keep winning. I wanted to find one of the strongest guys out there that no one else wanted to fight to prove I’m the best.
“I know Berto is coming to fight and he’s hungry, but so am I. I’m always hungry. I’m hungry all the time because I want to be the best in the world, not just a world champion. I don’t want to settle, I want to be the best.
“I’m looking forward to taking care of business on November 24.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO Golden Boy Promotions
“Robert Guerrero is one of the most underrated champions in the world. I can’t understand why he’s not at the top of the pound for pound list.
“We have Andre Berto vs. Robert Guerrero, Keith Thurman vs. Carlos Quintana and Richar Abril vs. Sharif Bogere. This is a huge event.
“The fights on November 24 are ‘pick em’ bouts where either fighter can win.
“November 24 is a ‘thank you’ to fight fans on Thanksgiving weekend. Tickets are priced extremely low, starting at $25.00.”
Tony Morgan, Berto’s Trainer
“He can call himself whatever he wants (“The Ghost”), but at the end of the night, he’ll be calling himself a loser.
“Guerrero is a great fighter, but he’s never been hit by someone as hard as Berto can hit in the 147 lb. division.”
Ruben Guerrero Sr., Guerrero’s Father/Trainer
“We’re going to have the advantages in all aspects against Berto.
“Robert is hungry, like a lion. He’s going to swallow him up on November 24.
“We’re going to be 100% ready for Berto and I promise it’s going to be a great fight.”
“Fight fans can add to the enjoyment of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with this action-packed World Championship Boxing tripleheader,” said Kery Davis, Senior Vice President of Programming, HBO Sports. “Andre Berto and Robert Guerrero will be primed for the main event showdown and we think boxing fans are in for a real treat.”
“Citizens Business Bank Arena, managed by AEG Facilities and the City of Ontario, is extremely pleased to have been selected by Golden Boy Promotions to be the host venue for this exciting boxing event,” said Steve Eckerson, General Manager of Citizens Business Bank Arena. “The Inland Empire is a great market and will certainly support this great night of boxing.”
