This week’s ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights emanates from, the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In a crossroads battle unbeaten rising prospect Victor Cayo meets veteran and former world champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz. A win for Cayo signifies his arrival as a legitimate contender; a Diaz loss would mark his exodus from the elite. Victor “Mermelada” Cayo is currently holds the #3 ranking by the WBA, and he’s equally precocious as he is talented. His nickname “Mermelada” translates to marmalade.

“My manager gave me the name after one day we were eating breakfast together and I grabbed a bagel covered in jelly off of his plate. I told him that I was sweeter than this jelly, he laughed and we have been using the name ever since,” Cayo.

After speaking with the 23 year old you get the sense that he tiptoes a fine line between cockiness and arrogance. When he interjects some humor he also reminds you of his youth and that most of his talk is tongue and cheek. Cayo is happy and is relishing the moment. Cayo’s naivety maybe the biggest asset he brings into a ring. To get a better understanding of Cayo it may help if you knew where he grew up. Cayo hails from Isabelita a barrio on the outskirts of Santo Domingo the capital city of the Dominican Republic. A country that’s natural beauty has made it a popular destination for tourist. However this jewel of the Caribbean for numerous factors borders on third world poverty.

“I loved baseball but where I’m from in the city it’s harder to make it in baseball than boxing. I chose boxing because basically it was a lot cheaper than playing baseball. Baseball you need to buy a glove and cleats, in boxing the program is funded by the government. They give you everything I went to the gym on my own because I saw the attention it got in the newspaper and I just fell in love with it,” Cayo.

Cayo is well aware of the strides that Dominican boxers have made recently and he plans on being right in the discussion. “I’m ready to do my thing in this division. I am happy to see guys that I know doing well. I was thrilled when I heard Elio Rojas won his title, he’s a good guy, Giovanni Lorenzo he’s my boy from the amateurs he’s going to Germany to fight for the middleweight title soon and I’m in the mix too, so it’s a nice feeling to see the progress and the recognition that Dominican boxing are getting,” Cayo.

Cayo has a record of 22-0 with 15 wins via knockout. This Friday evening he will be facing his stiffest competition to date in Diaz. Cayo however feels that although he respect his opponent for his accomplishments that its another step towards his ultimate goal. “I’m grateful to my handlers; for this fight but I’m ready to give 100%. I studied his last few fights, and I know he’s good, we are both fast but I think I’m a little faster. I don’t have the name he does at this time, but when the bell rings its only me and him and after the 1^st round he will see that he’s never fought anybody as good as me,” Cayo.

Those are big words considering the fact that Diaz has been in the ring with former world champions Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor and Jose Luis Castillo. This positive outlook of Cayo is also shared by his head trainer Gabriel Salmiento. “At this point I feel that any of the top guys can be put in front of him at 140 any world champion at 140 somebody like Maidana or even Urango we will not only win but take their heads off. Trust me your going to believe me soon Cayo is ready,” Salmiento.

Salmiento is the man behind the scenes of current junior middleweight Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez. He says that Cayo is being put through the same type of rigorous training that Martinez goes through. He also spars against Martinez and that’s an advantage that no one else gets. Salmiento has worked with Cayo for over a year and says that his pupil is not only disciplined out of the ring but trains as hard as anyone he’s ever been around. Diaz who has spent most of his career at lightweight will be making the jump to junior welterweight. In his last outing, Diaz suffered a 5^th round knockout loss to Rolondo Reyes. Cayo sees Diaz move up in weight a little perplexing.

“I think him coming up is defiantly advantage. I’m naturally stronger. But right now I think that a smart guy would not come up to this weight class if he can help it. This is a tough class. To me it’s the toughest weight class in boxing,  just go online you see the names here,” Cayo.

Cayo still lives in his native Dominican Republic and has spent the last 2 months in California training in Oxnard, California under the tutelage of the Argentine Salmiento. Cayo says that being in California is not only a big help but a necessity. “There are too many distractions back home, parties, clubs, you name it. I need to be here and I’m getting better day by day,” Cayo.

Diaz is no stranger to fighting a hyped Dominican prospect. Back in April 2001 he was also unbeaten and he fought Justo Sencion. Sencion was a former New York City Golden Gloves Champion with a stellar amateur record. Diaz came into enemy territory and stopped the then unbeaten Sencion in his adopted hometown on an HBO telecast. A little long awaited pay back could be in the works says Cayo. Nevertheless don’t let the brash talk by Cayo and his trainer fool you. They say they are well aware of the recent upsets in boxing. “Angulo, Antillon, Ortiz and Prescott we seen these guys get knocked off but thats because they have not been tested. When they get in  a real fight they don’t know how to react. Cayo is different he’s prepared and he will do well based on the camp he’s been through,” Salmiento.

“To all of the boxing fans out there and my Dominicans I’d like to say please watch it on TV. on Friday night if you are not able to make it to the arena don’t let people tell you about it the next day”, Cayo.

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