Las Vegan Lenk eager to test ring endurance

Las Vegas junior welterweight Anthony Lenk thinks he's ready to take the next big step in his boxing career, precisely two rounds higher.

After spending three years fighting six-round bouts, the 23-year-old wants to move to eight-rounders. If he defeats Fernando Rodriguez in a six-round fight Friday at Texas Station, it could be his ticket to bigger things.

Lenk will fight on the undercard of a Showtime-televised card headlined by Las Vegas super featherweight Diego Magdaleno, who will defend his NABF title against Alejandro Perez.

"I've been comfortable fighting six, but I definitely feel like I'm ready to go eight (rounds)," Lenk said. "I want to move forward, but I want to do it the right way."

Lenk (11-1, six knockouts) has won six straight fights, the past two in particularly impressive fashion. On Feb. 26 at the Palms, he stopped Terry Butterbaugh with 12 seconds remaining, then knocked out Martin Viera in the fourth round May 6 at Mandalay Bay.

Lenk has refined his technique, concentrating on putting together combinations and getting more power behind his punches.

"I'm doing a better job in preparing myself for my fights," he said. "I try to watch tape of my opponents when I can find some, and I try to study their habits. I like to know what the other guy has to offer.

"I try to look at boxing as a chess match: You want to be a step or two ahead of your opponent."

Lenk said Rodriguez (6-3, three KOs) will offer a stiff challenge.

"He's a tough guy," Lenk said. "No one has really hurt him. He keeps coming at you. But if we put the right formula together and execute, you can beat him."

Lenk probably won't be on the televised portion of the card. But if he keeps winning, he knows he'll eventually get the exposure.

"I'm not in any rush," he said. "Top Rank has really been good to me so far, and I trust them to do the right thing with my career."

■ CAYO-PETERSON -- After two failed attempts, super lightweights Victor Cayo and Lamont Peterson will meet July 29 at the Cosmopolitan on ESPN2.

It took an injury to Joel Casamayor to pave the way for Cayo-Peterson. Casamayor was involved in a car accident in Miami two weeks ago and unable to keep his date against Jorge Teron. Cayo-Peterson, a 12-round IBF eliminator, replaces Casamayor-Teron as the main event.

A light heavyweight bout between Edison Miranda and Yordanis Despaigne also highlights the card.

Cayo (20-1, 18 KOs) and Peterson (24-1-1, 14 KOs) were set to meet April 29 at the Cosmopolitan. But Cayo pulled out after suffering a shoulder injury while sparring.

With Cayo healthy, the fight was rescheduled for July 23 at Mandalay Bay on the undercard of the Amir Khan-Zab Judah world junior welterweight title fight. But the fight was dropped after a contractual dispute between Seminole Warriors Boxing, which promotes Cayo, and Golden Boy Promotions, which is promoting the card.

Casamayor's accident and subsequent cancellation of his July 29 appearance opened the door for Cayo and Peterson to meet.

■ RATHER QUALIFIES -- Brett Rather of Las Vegas won a last-chance tournament Friday in Cincinnati to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials, from July 31 to Aug. 6 in Mobile, Ala.

Rather, who boxed at UNLV, defeated Trevor Bryan of Albany, N.Y., 31-26 to win the super heavyweight division (201 pounds-plus).

He joins Las Vegans Michael Hunter and Andrew Tabiti (both at 201) and Marina Ramirez (women's 106) at the trials.

■ PRIMM CARD -- Lightweight Jessie Vargas scored a second-round knockout of Walter Estrada in the main event of the Golden Boy card Friday at Buffalo Bill's in Primm.

Junior middleweight Alfonso Blanco defeated Cleven Ishe by unanimous decision in six rounds, and cruiserweight Billy Bailey won a four-round majority decision over Demark Scott.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.