Guevara brothers eager to get careers rolling

For a variety of reasons, the pro boxing careers of Brownsville brothers Gilbert and Jerry Guevara have been on hold for an extended period of time. Both are hoping to step back into to the ring soon.

Older brother Gilbert “Chicano” Guevara (7-4-1, two knockouts) last fought Feb. 29, 2008, and lost a six-round decision in Harlingen to Gilbert Vera of Austin. Training interruptions, scheduled fights that never came off and injuries have prevented him from resuming his career.

Gilbert, a welterweight, is expected to end his hiatus on the undercard of a Julio Marines show now set for Aug. 22 at Brownsville Sports Park. A possible opponent is Adan "Bam Bam" Murrillo (21-2) of Mexico, Marines said.

"I’m running, getting in shape and losing weight," Gilbert, 24, said. "I’m anxious to fight again. It’s been a year and five months — that’s too long."

It’s been just as difficult for Jerry “Chicanito” Guevara (1-0, one KO), a super flyweight. He made a rousing pro debut with a first-round technical knockout of Pedro Silva on Nov. 21, 2008, in Harlingen, and then had to bide his time for approximately five months while recovering from vein repair surgery inside his nose. 

It looked as though he would return for the "Brownsville’s Finest" show on May 9 at Brownsville Sports Park, but his opponent changed three times in the days leading up to his scheduled fight, and then at the very last moment, his bout failed to take place. It was tough to take for a fighter who said he had been dreaming about how great it would be to fight in his hometown for the first time as a pro.

Unfortunately, Jerry’s still dreaming of that moment because it has yet to happen, but it might become a reality in August. Trainer Robert Campos said Jerry might be fighting on the Marines show Aug. 22 that will be headlined by Sergio Perales, or he possibly could fight on the undercard of a Top Rank show in Austin about the same time.

Either way, Jerry, like his older brother, is eager to get back into the ring.

"Every time I see a fight (card) coming up, it just makes me want to go in there (and fight)," Jerry, 19, said. "I can’t wait much longer. I was supposed to fight (May 9), but it didn’t happen. I got mad a little bit at first, but I don’t want to get discouraged. I’m just pushing myself and training hard so that I can be ready for when I do get to fight.

"I’ve been boxing almost all of my life, and I know I’ll be doing something about it (ring inactivity)," he added. "I know something good is going to happen in the future."

STEPPING UP

Junior welterweight Tito “El Terror” Ramos (10-0, seven knockouts) of Mission received a boost to his boxing career last month when Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin agreed to serve as an advisor for the Reynosa native. It means that Chargin, with his many contacts from more than 60 years in the business, could be lining up some important fights for Ramos in the near future.

"I am at the point of my career in which I am going to be very selective on whom I work with," Chargin was quoted as saying in a press release. "I really like Tito, and I have big plans for him. We have a lot of work to do, but it will be worth my time. At this moment, there is a big void of young top prospects coming out of Mexico. Tito is the best prospect to come out of the Reynosa region since Nestor ‘Tigre’ Garza."

UPCOMING

Along with Brownsville bantamweight Sergio Perales headlining the Aug. 22 show at Brownsville Sports Park, Marines said that Edinburg middleweight Raul “El Tigre” Casarez may be fighting for an IBA continental title on the same card.

According to Tuffy Martinez, Brownsville Sports Park director, there may be another boxing show in August at the sports park in addition to the Marines event. No date for the other show has been announced.

A televised boxing show at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo is in the works for early September. If it comes off, James De La Rosa and Eric Molina could be among the featured fighters on the card, according to Anthony Cavazos, who assists Marc Fantich in presenting shows in the McAllen area.

Roy Hess covers boxing for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.