Scoring a Cayo over Maidana

Story & photo by Chris Cozzone

Undefeated Dominican Victor Manuel Cayo knows he is in the fight of his life Saturday night, when he takes on Argentinean brawler Marcos Maidana.

But there’s a reason he’s been asking to fight Maidana for the last two-and-a-half years.

“I know he is dangerous,” Cayo said before working out on Wednesday. “I know he is a very strong fighter – but strength alone does not win fights.”

What wins fights, says Cayo, is speed – and that is what he hopes will pull off the victory.

In the main event of an HBO-televised, Golden Boy-promoted card at the Hard Rock Hotel’s The Joint in Las Vegas, Cayo, 24-0, 16 KOs, will go 12 with Maidana, 27-1, 26 KOs, for the interim WBA light welterweight title.

“My speed will be very effective,” says Cayo. “Speed and technique. I’m going to control the distance – that’s the way I fight.”

For the past two-and-a-half months, Cayo has prepared for Maidana in Los Angeles.

“I’ve sparred many strong fighters,” says Cayo. “Maidana is dangerous – but I am dangerous, too. Just being in the ring is dangerous. I feel I have a potent punch, as well. I have the potential to hurt – but I also have speed.

“If it comes to a brawl, I’m prepared to do that, too. I am prepared for anything.”

Cayo’s recipe to score the upset came at ringside last June, when Cayo attended Maidana’s six-round war with Victor Ortiz in Los Angeles.

“We saw some flaws in Maidana,” says Cayo.

“’I can beat this guy,’ I told my team.”

This fight will be Cayo’s second in the U.S., and first in Vegas.

“Vegas is like a dream come true,” he says. “Since I was a kid I dreamed about fighting here, and I watched all the big fighters on TV. I’m going to take advantage of it.”