| |
|
|
Lamont Peterson vs. Victor Cayo
Teleconference Highlights
By Robert Jones
On July 29th Lamont Peterson (28-1-1 14 KO’s) and Victor
Cayo (26-1-1 18 KO’s) will square off on ESPN’s Friday Night
Fights at The Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino located
centrally on the Las Vegas Strip. The fighters are very
similar - they have both lost just one time each, and each
lost to a world class fighter (Peterson to WBC and WBO
champion Timothy Bradley and Cayo to top ranked Marcos
Maidana). Now that they have gotten a taste of the big time
they are hoping to use that experience, in front of a
national audience, to attempt to propel themselves to that
same world class level.
Cayo and Peterson are ranked third and fourth, respectively
in the IBF Junior Welterweight rankings. Because the number
one and two positions in these rankings are vacated, Cayo
and Peterson are fighting for the right to fight the IBF
Champion (either current IBF champion Zab Judah or WBA
champion Amir Khan, depending on who wins their July 23rd
unification bout.) Three weeks out the fighters gave us an
idea of how training and preparation is going, and what we
can expect, when they meet July 29th.
Both fighters showed great respect for each other, which was
expected if you have ever followed the lead-up to either
fighter before. Neither fighter pointed out any weaknesses
they saw in their opponents, instead concentrating on their
positive attributes. Peterson said he is very impressed with
Cayo, saying he had a very good jab, can go upstairs, and is
a well-rounded fighter overall. Cayo was similar in his
praise of Peterson, calling him a true warrior who doesn’t
make many mistakes in the ring and is a huge professional.
When asked who they would rather fight between Amir Khan and
Zab Judah, provided they win, they both picked Khan.
Peterson picked Khan because he believes Cayo and Khan have
similar body types and fight in a similar fashion, meaning
training could in a way be easier because he would just
continue training for a similar style fighter. Cayo, who
praised Khan a few times during the teleconference, also
picked Khan not because of style, but because of who he is.
Cayo called Khan the most exciting and best fighter at 140,
and he strives to fight the best.
Both fighters said they are both on track for their target
weight, so we shouldn’t expect any weigh-in drama the day
before the fight. Both fighters mentioned that with just
two-and-a-half weeks remaining to the bout they are
concentrating on their opponent, and no longer on fitness.
Fitness was a slight concern to Cayo, who had to pull-out of
a scheduled fight with Peterson in April because of an arm
injury, but he says the injury is fine now, and will not be
an issue come fight night.
Pound4Pound will be there to cover the world title
eliminator, ringside.
|
|
|
