Guerrero returns to ring tonight after helping wife battle leukemia

Like millions of others, Robert Guerrero sat transfixed in front of his TV this month watching the drama unfold at the Masters.

As Phil Mickelson drained his final birdie putt on the 18th hole at Augusta National and embraced wife Amy, Guerrero felt the emotion in his own heart.

The former IBF world lightweight champion knows exactly what Mickelson has gone through: putting his sporting career on hold to help his wife battle cancer.

Casey Guerrero was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. When her condition worsened last summer, Robert took time off from boxing to tend to her.

He returns to the ring tonight against Roberto Arrieta in a 10-round main event at the Tropicana. Guerrero, who hasn’t fought since Aug. 22, is looking forward to being back inside the ropes.

“It’s as if a sense of normalcy has returned to our lives,” said Guerrero (25-1-1, 17 knockouts). “To see me back in the ring makes her very happy.”

Casey Guerrero is making progress in her cancer battle. Robert said walking away from boxing to be at her side was an easy decision.

“Her fight’s not by choice. Mine is,” said the 27-year-old boxer from Gilroy, Calif. “When I see what my wife went through, it makes me appreciate everything that much more.”

Guerrero aims to regain the 135-pound title he once held. He would love to face Juan Manuel Marquez this year, but first things first.

“I’m fighting a tough guy who always comes to fight,” Guerrero said of Arrieta (35-15-4, 16 KOs), who is from Santa Rosa, Argentina. “God willing, I’ll be fighting for a title by the end of the year.

“A fight with Marquez would be a great fight. He’s the top dog in the division.”

When Guerrero steps into the ring tonight, he’ll remember the lesson Mickelson taught everyone about perseverance.

“The way he held it together, his focus and staying on his game and generating all that emotion, I can definitely relate to that,” he said. “It’s inspiring.”

The first bell for the card, to be televised on TeleFutura, is at 7:30 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.