Manuel Guzman has been in boxing purgatory for a few years.

The Lancaster resident wants out of that state of temporary misery.

The always smiling Guzman wasn't happy with where his career was heading.

After 16 professional fights, Guzman has made wholesale changes in his boxing career. He's changed trainers, has a better training regimen and a better outlook on his career.

"I couldn't be happier," Guzman said following a six-round sparring tuneup Wednesday night at the Finefrock & Stumpf Gym. "This is the best I've been prepared for a professional fight. All of the training from top to bottom."

"He lost his desire to box," said Guzman's trainer, Barry Stumpf. "He said this is his last stop and I've tried to restore the passion for boxing for him."

Guzman (6-8-2, 2 KOs) hopes to prove to himself, and the boxing world, that he's better than his record when he takes on Jeremiah Wiggins (6-0) Saturday in a six-round junior middleweight bout at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The fight will be on the undercard of an HBO televised event. The main event will feature middleweights Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs), Wiggins' cousin, and Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KOs).

Guzman's fight won't be on the live broadcast but likely will be highlighted before the main event.

Fighting for Guzman was a given from a young age.

Three of his uncles boxed, his father's cousin was an Olympic bronze medalist and his brother and sister both kickboxed.

It was also at a young age when Guzman developed his chin.

Guzman has never been knocked out as a professional and the only time he's been floored was at the age of 12.

By his sister.

Guzman's sister was practicing her kickboxing and sent a roundhouse kick to the temple of her brother.

"That's the only time I've been on the floor," Guzman said, laughing. "She gave me a high kick and I was out.

"I called her yesterday and she told me not to to tell anyone about it."

Guzman will be reunited with his sister on Saturday.

The 26-year-old moved to Atlantic City when he was 18. An argument between Guzman and his father prompted the teen to leave his family's farm in Puerto Rico and move in with his sister in Atlantic City.

"I lived there for four or five years. Some of my friends and family will be there Saturday," said Guzman. "I'm really excited. I can't wait until Saturday."

After the birth of his first child, Guzman moved to Lancaster four years ago to get a better a job and later found his way to Stumpf.

"He has a tremendous heart," said Stumpf. "His record doesn't show what he can do. He has yet to find himself. The more we work together the more we're finding out about him."

"He's taught me to box and move and get out of trouble," Guzman said of Stumpf. "He's also been a good friend."

Both trainer and fighter know that the Wiggins fight won't be easy.

"He's a power puncher. They picked Manny because he has a chin and they think he'll just stand there and take hits," Stumpf explained. "He won't. We have a plan too. (Wiggins) has six fights. He's 6-0 but three guys have found a way to go the distance with him."

It will be Guzman's last fight at middleweight before he goes down to 147 pounds, where he's more comfortable.

Now that his career is reinvigorated, Guzman has a new long-term plan in boxing.

"Right now I'm 26, I'm hoping to give it four more years," explained Guzman. "See where I am at and go from there. If I'm doing well, I'll keep fighting. If not, I may take some time off."

If he decides not to continue boxing in the future, Stumpf believes Guzman can make a difference outside of the ring.

"He's very helpful to these kids in the gym and I need that here," Stumpf said. "He's very hands on with all of the boxers.

"He's important here. He's important to this organization," Stumpf said. "Here's a grown man with a family who can box and set a good example to everyone. That's important."

Important, too, that Guzman is smiling again.

mblymier@lnpnews.com