Due to injuries suffered in a car accident involving former lightweight champion Joel Casamayor, the lineup for the July 29 “Fight Night at The Cosmopolitan” event at the Chelsea Ballroom has changed.
The Casamayor vs. Jorge Teron match-up has been cancelled. In its place, will be a 12-round IBF Super Lightweight Elimination bout between the Dominican Republic’s once-beaten IBF #3-rated Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (20-1, 18 KOs) and Washington DC’s IBF #4-ranked Lamont Peterson (24-1-1, 14 KOs).
The 10-round light heavyweight showdown between Edison “Pantera” Miranda (34-5, 29 KOs) and Yordanis Despaigne (8-1, 4 KOs) will remain on the card.
Cayo and Peterson will be fighting for the #1 world ranking and the right to face the winner of July 23 bout between current IBF king Zab Judah and WBA champion Amir Khan.
Victor “Mermelada” Cayo is an excellent fighter with good power, speed and incredible elusiveness.
The 26-year-old Dominican Republic native started boxing at the age of 11 after finding himself in several street fights. “One day I was walking by this boxing gym in my neighborhood and I asked the coach to teach me how to box and defend myself. I have been doing this ever since and won’t stop till I become a world champion.”
Cayo had over 300 amateur fights and won numerous tournaments including the Dominican Republic Military Games and won a Silver Medal in the Cupa Independencia De Boxeo, fighting against boxers from Canada, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Haiti, Ecuador and Italy.
He is managed by Caesar Mercedes and trained by Gabriel Sarmiento and co-promoted by Warriors Boxing and Samson Boxing. He trains at World Crown Sports Facility in Oxnard, California.
At the age of 27, Lamont Peterson is a six-year pro. He is the older brother, by 14 months, of lightweight contender Anthony Peterson – both were amateur standouts before they turned pro.
The Petersons have been regularly featured on ESPN and HBO boxing telecasts and their story has been frequently discussed on the show. They were left without parents at an early age, with their father in prison and their mother suffering personal issues. The brothers were reportedly homeless on the streets of Washington, DC for several years.
While homeless at age 10, they were noticed by Barry Hunter, a boxing coach. Over time Hunter developed their boxing skills while mentoring them and both brothers morphed into amateur boxing stars.
Lamont (28-1-1, 14 KOs) is a former WBO Interim Junior Welterweight World Champion. He won the title in April 2009. He is coming off a 10-round draw on December 11, 2010, with top-rated contender Victor Ortiz at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and live on HBO. He suffered a 12 round decision loss in a WBO junior welterweight world title challenge against defending champion Timothy Bradley Jr. in December 2009.
Peterson was last seen in December fighting to an HBO-televised draw with now world champion Victor Oritz. Cayo’s most recent appearance was a first-round knockout over Javier Gomez on October 29.
“Because of the unfortunate news that happened to Joel Casamayor, we were able to move this sensational Cayo vs. Peterson fight to The Cosmopolitan,” explained promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing, “and that is very, very good news for the fans in attendance and those who will be watching around the world. The July 30 Fight Night at the Cosmopolitan will be one of the best Friday Night Fights broadcasts of the year with tremendous significance on the world stage for its competitors. ”
In conjunction with Warriors Boxing Promotions and Blue Wave Group, “Fight Nights at The Cosmopolitan” combines the mystique and excitement of legendary Las Vegas boxing matches with a new and socially dynamic experience. Tickets are on sale now and priced at $250 for VIP tables, $150 for ringside seats, $100 for floor seats, $50 for grandstand seating and $20 for general admission tickets and are available for purchase by calling 877-551-7778 or at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.
