Two-Division World Champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, the current IBF Junior Lightweight World Title holder, announced today that he is relinquishing his title in order to care for his wife Casey, who is currently battling leukemia.
“It is with great regret that I am relinquishing the junior lightweight championship of the world that I, along with my team, worked so hard to capture,” said the 26-year old Guerrero. “I feel that it is in the best interest of the sport and the fans that I care so deeply for to give someone else a chance to fulfill their dream of becoming a World Champion. I am now focused on the love of my life, my wife Casey, as undoubtedly we face the greatest opponent of our life, cancer. Whatever the outcome, our faith in Jesus Christ will get us through. Thank you for the prayers and support. God bless.”
Casey Guerrero, who was stricken with leukemia in 2007, is currently recovering from a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy treatment. Within the next two to three weeks it will be known whether her latest treatment was a success or not.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Guerrero family during this tough time,” said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “We respect his decision to vacate his title and will do everything in our power to get him back in for a World Title shot when he is ready to return to the ring.”
“We would like to thank everyone involved with Golden Boy Promotions for their support and understanding in a very difficult situation,” said Guerrero’s co-managers, Bob Santos and Shelly Finkel.
Guerrero gets my respect. I don’t know how many others would’ve made this same decision. He certainly has the right to continue fighting BUT… he allowed himself to be lead by his heart and at the same time thought about the other hungry fighter’s desire to obtain what he has twice, hold a world title. I pray that the Lord gives him the strength to ‘ride this storm’ and for a miracle in their lives.
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