By Edward Chaykovsky

Former champion Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero showed a lot of heart on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as he withstood the feared punching power of Keith Thurman for twelve tough rounds. The naturally larger Thurman won a lopsided decision and retained his WBA 'regular' welterweight title.

After the fight, Guerrero gave praise to the power of Thurman but also said Secuk Aydin was a bigger puncher. Guerrero made his welterweight debut against Aydin in 2012 and won a twelve round decision.

"No [Thurman was not the hardest puncher I faced], not at all. I think the hardest puncher that I ever faced was Selcuk Aydin....the Turkish guy. He hit hard. After the fight with him, although I outboxed him and I beat him - my body, my arms, my shoulders were sore for like a couple of weeks. Right now I feel good, real good. I got the cut above my eye but I still feel good. But, [Thurman] does have power," Guerrero said.

"The only time he really hurt me was when he knocked me down. It was an overhand right and it caught me to the back of the head. That did hurt me, but that was the only time he really hurt me, when he got me to the back of the head with that right."