Former featherweight and junior lightweight titleholder Robert Guerrero took a bold step in the lightweight division by out-pointing fellow Californian Vicente Escobedo over 10 rounds in the main support to the Zab Judah-Lucas Matthysse bout in Newark, N.J., on Saturday.

Guerrero (28-1-1, 18 knockouts), who won by scores of 100-88, 98-90 and 96-92, scored knockdowns after landing flush left hands in rounds three and six.

The 27-year-old southpaw was in firm command of the bout until the final three rounds when Escobedo (22-3, 14 KOs) mounted an intense rally.

With the victory, which was televised on HBO, Guerrero is expected to challenge the winner of the Nov. 27 bout between lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez and Michael Katsidis.

Escobedo, who fought well but was out-gunned by Guerrero, is expected to drop down to the junior lightweight division.