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Robert Guerrero won by unanimous decision over Yoshihiro Kamegai Saturday night in Carson.

After a 13-month layoff, welterweight Robert Guerrero returned and came out of the ring a winner by unanimous decision over Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai on Saturday night.

Guerrero (32-2-1) hadn’t fought since his bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May. It was a slugfest at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., as both fighters suffered some strenuous punishment.

In the sixth round both fighters were dripping blood, and Guerrero suffered a cut and swelling on his left eye but was able to dominate and land strong left shots until the 12th round. In the final round, Guerrero was trying to finish off Kamegai, but Kamegai’s heart and discipline kept him in the ring until the final bell.

“It was a rough one.” Guerrero said after the fight. “I said I couldn’t get caught in his style, but I did. I definitely saw where I slack off. I wanted to box on the outside, but I have a habit of banging away and exchanging.”

“He’s a tough guy. The fans, they love it. I like to give the fans what they want, so I stood there and banged with him,” Guerrero added. “I want to thank CrossFit for having me in good shape, I didn’t get tired at all.”

When asked about Kamegai’s boxing style, Guerrero had nothing bad to say.

“He hit me with a lot of body shots … but I took them very well. He has a weird, awkward style, and he’s strong. I said in the fighter meeting, when you’ve got a guy like [Kamegai], they come 110 percent better than on tape, because this is his opportunity. This was his shot, and he came and gave it his all,” Guerrero said. “I’m not surprised, but he can take some shots. No disrespect, but look at the size of his head.”

“There’s not much I can say. I lost the fight. That’s all I can say right now,” Kamegai said through a translator. When questioned if he was proud of his effort, he replied, “I came here to win. There’s not much I can say right now, because I didn’t win.”

Guerrero was able to come out a winner with a swollen and bruised left eyelid next to a nasty cut that caused blood to flow throughout the whole fight. Kamegai put on a thrilling performance and was able to use his right hand excellently, but unfortunately he fell short in winning the judges’ scorecards.

Judge Max DeLuca scored the bout 116-112, while Pat Russell and Tony Crebs both saw it 117-111. The Associated Press favored Guerrero 116-112.

“I’m OK with the decision,” Kamegai said. “He shook me a couple of times, and I felt weakened in the legs, but I think I had him hurt a few times, too, but he recovered very well.”

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