By Ryan Burton

Mandalay Bay, LAS VEGAS, NV - Miguel "Mickey" Roman (57-12) admits that his rival on Saturday night has faced tougher competition in his career. However, he disagrees that the tougher competition gives Orlando "Siri" Salido (44-13-4) an edge in their HBO televised main event.

"Yes that is a big difference between us. He is a little  more tired and beat up and has been in more wars so the advantage is on my side. My preparation for this fight was great so it will make a huge difference but to my advantage not his," Roman stated.

The 32-year-old Roman has won 19 of his past 20 fights but insists that he will fight differently against Salido.  He said that he will fight smarter and take less punishment than he has in recent fights. 

"You are going to see a different Mickey Roman. I am going to be a more intelligent and cautious fighter.  You are going to see a different fighter on Saturday night," he explained.

Roman knows that if he is able to defeat a fighter the caliber of Salido, who has fought on HBO several times, that many opportunities will become available to him. 

The HBO tripleheader will be rounded out with Tevin Farmer facing Kenichi Ogawa for the vacant IBF super featherweight and the return of former 130 pound WBC champ Francisco Vargas who will take on Stephen Smith.  A victory for Roman could lead to fight against the winner of either of those fights.

"I am motivated for this fight because I know if I win I will get bigger purses and bigger fights. It will open a lot of doors for me and that is what I am shooting for - to get the bigger fights on HBO," Roman told BoxingScene.com.

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