By Ryan Burton

27-year-old Jayson Velez (23-0-1) faces the once beaten Rony Rios (24-1) on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The fight is part of the HBO pay-per-view telecast.

Velez said that he trained especially hard for this fight because  the stakes are high.  He knows that a loss would seriously derail his career.

"Training camp has been great.  This training camp has been the most grueling that I have had and I have suffered a lot because I trained harder.  I am ready and I feel good.  I know that I have to fight hard because this is a tough fight but I am ready."

"(Rios) is a tough guy. He is a great fighter. He has power and a great team.  He throws a lot of punches and knows how to fight.  I just feel that I am at a higher level than him.  I think it comes down to the plan and I have the right plan to beat," said Velez.

The Caguas, Puerto Rico native is excited to not only be on a card featuring Puerto Rican and Mexican stars Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez, but to also be part of the rivalry with Rios being of Mexican decent.

"It is great to be on this card.  It is part of history.  This is my first major event and I will be part of it, Cotto and Canelo. I am so happy and I can't wait to be there," Velez told BoxingScene.com.

As for what's next, Velez said that he leaves that up to handlers but hopes to land another shot at a title in the near future. He had a chance last year when he fought then IBF featherweight champion Evgany Gradovich to a draw.

"After this fight I will talk to my promoters but if you ask me I want another title shot.  I can fight any of them. There is Selby, Gary Russell and Lomachenko.  I need to win first but I would like a title shot in my next fight," Velez revealed.

Velez finished our conversation by saying that he is backing his countryman in the main event but admits that it will be a tough fight for both men.

"I think that Cotto will by a close decision. It is hard to choose because Canelo also has experience and great ability, good movements.  Either guy can win but I think Cotto wins by close decision," Velez opined.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter