Big Sean, Angie Martinez, and DJ Lobo Comprise Entertainment Line Up
Roc Nation Sports’ Dustin Flesicher, Junior Younan, Zhang Zhilei. Along With Miguel Cotto Promotions’
Jose Lopez, Alberto Machado and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. To Be Featured On Undercard
NEW YORK (May 6, 2015) - Already a marquee event featuring Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO ee) defending his WBC Middleweight and Ring Magazine World Champion titles against former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO ee) in a 12-round main event, the June 6 showdown will now include a live musical performance by Roc Nation and Grammy-nominated artist Big Sean before the main event.
Roc Nation will bring other major names to the boxing experience at Barclays Center including notable event emcee and “The Voice of New York” Angie Martinez, kuwaas oo u adeegi doonaa sida ay dhacdo ciidankiisa, alongside hit master DJ Lobo from WSKQ La Mega 97.9 FM New York City, ka #1 Spanish radio station in the United States. Martinez and Lobo will entertain together throughout the night to keep the energy up between bouts.
Cotto vs. Geale, 12-wareega dagaal u Cotto ee WBC oo Ring Magazine dhexe World Championships, is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The championship bout takes placeSaturday, June 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised live on HBO beginning at 10:30 p.m. IYO/PT.
Last year marked Big Sean’s first Grammy nomination and the release of his critically acclaimed sophomore effort, “Hall of Fame” which once again held an impressive number three Soundscan debut in the U.S. Iyadoo in ka badan 10 million records sold to date, Sean became the first rapper to ever perform at The White House earlier this year and has released three successful shoe designs in partnership with Adidas Originals. While his professional work as an artist keep him extremely busy, Sean makes the time to use his resources to give back through his Detroit based non-profit, the Sean Anderson Foundation. He is currently on a national tour promoting his third major label album, Dark Sky Paradise (G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam Recordings) which debuted at number one.
“I’m so excited to be coming together again with Roc Nation Sports to host its next boxing event at Barclays Center on June 6 featuring Miguel Cotto’s return to New York City,” said Angie Martinez. “The event format, including a live musical performance by Big Sean, will ensure the night is one to remember.”
“As an active member of the Latino community in New York City, I’m proud to be kicking off the week of the Puerto Rican Day Parade festivities with Miguel Cotto’s long-awaited return to the ring and debut at Barclays Center,” said DJ Lobo. “I’ll be sure to keep the atmosphere rocking between bouts and hope I can count on the Latino community to show their support on June 6.”
Intaa waxaa dheer in ay xiiso ah June 6 performance lineup, qaar ka mid ah xiddigaha ugu qatarsan ee feerka ee baxna kasoo muuqan doona on undercard aan telefishanka. Standouts Roc Nation Sports Dustin Fleischer, Junior Younan, Zhang Zhilei, and Miguel Cotto Promotions’ Jose Lopez, Alberto Machado iyo Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. will look to keep fans on their feet from the opening bell through the main event.
New Jersey native and Two-Time State Golden Gloves Champion Dustin “The White Tiger” Fleischer (1-0, 1 KO), da 25, is on a quest to become the first grandson of a Holocaust survivor to be crowned world champion. Fleischer, with an amateur record of 112-18, is a protégé of 1996 Olympic Head Coach Al Mitchell and the youngest graduate of the U.S. Olympic Education Center for boxing at the age of 16. Mitchell’s guidance helped to propel Fleischer to U.S.A. Boxing’s #5 open-fighter ranking at 132 lbs in 2007, with only standout professionals Sadam Ali, Terence Crawford, Danny Garcia, and Luis Ramos ranked ahead of him. Fleischer made his professional debut on January 9, 2015 during Roc Nation Sports’ inaugural feerka carshiga dhacdo, scoring a second round technical knockout victory over Frank Jordan in a fight that was televised live on FOX Sports 1. Fleischer faces an opponent to be determined in a four round welterweight bout on June 6.
Brooklyn’s 19-year-old, undefeated Junior “The Young God” Younan (6-0, 5 KO ee) is considered one of New York City’s best boxing prospects. Younan, trained by his father Sherif, a former professional boxer himself, began fighting competitively at age eight and only two years later was called a “boxing prodigy” by the New York Times. He compiled an amateur record of 90-5, racking up an impressive series of titles along the way including nine Junior Olympic championships, nine Junior Metro championships, eight New York State Silver Gloves championships and five Regional Silver Gloves championships. In 2011, he was crowned National Junior Golden Gloves champion and was U.S.A. Boxing’s number one rated junior boxer in his weight class. Less than a month after his 18thdhalashadiisa, Younan made his professional debut on November 9, 2013, at the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, New York, stopping Kenneth Schmitz in the first round. On June 6, he will see action in a six round light heavyweight bout.
Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei (3-0, 2 KO ee) is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound southpaw who is poised to make a major splash in the heavyweight division. Born in Henan, China, home to the world famous Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Warriors, Zhilei began his amateur career in 2003, participating in the World Championships. He went on to compete in the World University Boxing Championship the following year where he made it to the finals. A breakthrough came in 2007 at the World Championships when Zhilei captured a bronze medal and, by finishing the competition in third place, qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where he reached the super heavyweight finals, proudly adding to the host country’s medal total with a Silver Medal. Zhilei returned to the Olympics in 2012 ee London, where he looked to better his 2008 performance. After a solid start, Zhang faced a stern test in the hard-hitting, eventual Gold Medal winning Brit Anthony Joshua and suffered a heart-breaking loss. In 2009 iyo 2013, Zhilei captured gold medals at the China National Games, an event of equal prestige to the Olympics in China. Agoosto 8, 2014, Zhang made his professional debut by scoring a first-round knockout win over Curtis Lee Tate in Fallon, Nevada. On January 17, 2015, Zhang overpowered Perry Filkins with another first round knockout at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. In uu xumad hore March 14, he scored a four round unanimous decision victory over Eric George in Jersey City, New Jersey. The 32-year-old Zhilei will face an opponent to be determined in a four round bout at Barclays Center.
Hailing from Carolina, Puerto Rico, Jose “Wonder Boy” Lopez (15-0-1, 11 KO ee) is a bit modest when it comes to discussing his punching power, but that power was evidenced during the 21-year-old’s appearance on October 26, 2013 at the Ray G. Amalbert in Juncos, Puerto Rico when he faced veteran Nicaraguan Sergio Gomez and knocked him out in the eighth and final round. On March 29, 2014, the undefeated powerhouse scored a first round technical knockout win over Leivi Brea of The Dominican Republic to capture the vacant WBC FECARBOX super bantamweight title at the Cosme Beitia Salamo Coliseum in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Lopez successfully defend the title on June 7, 2014 against Raul Hidalgo via a near shutout eight round unanimous decision victory. Another defense came on August 16, 2014 when he faced Roberto Casteñeda in what became an instant classic with Lopez hitting the canvas four times in the first round and Castañeda getting floored once each in rounds one, two and three before Lopez emerged the victor via an eight round majority decision. In uu xumad hore February 7, Lopez fought to a draw with Josean Figuroa at the Coliseo Guillermo Angulo in Carolina. On June 6, Lopez will look to add another win to his record in a six round featherweight bout.
Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado (10-0, 8 KO ee) started boxing at the age of ten in the Monte Hatillo Gymnasium located in San Juan. The 24-year-old Rio Piedras native compiled an amateur record of 145-21 and secured national championships in the junior, junior Olympics, cadet and adult categories. On November 11, 2012, Machado made is professional debut against Alex Nazario at the Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza in Caguas, Puerto Rico scoring a third round technical knockout win. Seven consecutive wins would follow, and on November 1, 2014, Machado fought for his first professional title at the Coliseo Hector Sola Bezares in Caguas where he defeated Alvin Torres via a second round technical knockout to capture the vacant WBC United States super featherweight title. In uu xumad ugu dambeeyey, Machado successfully defended his title on March 14 against Jean Javier Sotelo at the Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza in Caguas with a first round knockout. Machado faces an opponent to be determined in a six round junior lightweight bout on June 6.
Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (24-4-1, 19 KO ee) ayaa ka hooska badan oo aabbihiis, Halyeeyga Rica Puerto Wilfredo Vazquez, inaad magac ku sameysato inuu nafsaddiisa gudaha wareegga afar gees. The 30-year-old former World Champion from Bayamon is on a quest to recapture a world title belt now campaigning in the featherweight division. After storming out of the gates with an 18 dagaallami oo isku xigta laga badinin, Vazquez qabtay WBO horyaalka featherweight yar dunida kaga adkaadeen ka dibna la shaqayn jiray laga badin Marvin Sonsona via a soo baxaan wareega xiga afaraad on February 27, 2010. Two successful title defenses followed before Vazquez lost his title to Three-Time World Champion Jorge Arce in an all-out war that the judges had a draw at the time of the twelfth round stoppage. Horyaalka adduunka kale caqabad hor yimid Lix-Time World Champion Nonito Donaire on February 2, 2012, laakiin Vazquez u soo baxay gaaban, tagtey go'aan kala ah in kooxda heysata horyaalka. In his last bout on November 1, 2014, Vazquez scored a majority decision win over Jonathan Arrellano in Caguas, Puerto Rico. On June 6, he’ll look to keep his winning ways going in an eight round featherweight bout against an opponent to be named.
Cotto vs. Geale, 12-wareega dagaal u Cotto ee WBC oo Ring Magazine dhexe World Championships, qaadataa meel Saturday, June 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised live on HBO. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Waxaa intaas dheer in tallaabada weyn gudaha giraanta, Haddii ay dhacdo ciyaari doonaa dhowr taabtona Roc Nation caan ah in dheeraad ah u adeegi doonaa daawadayaal la ah taageere-aragnimo wanaajiyey, including Roc Nation and Grammy nominated artist Big Sean taking to the ring for a special performance prior to the main event. The event will be hosted by notable emcee “The Voice of New York” Angie Martinez and will also feature hit master DJ Lobo who will serve alongside Martinez throughout the night. Tigidhada jaban $500, $350, $250, $200, $150, $100, $50 iyo $25, ma ku jiraan kharashyada adeegga ay khuseyso iyo canshuurta, are on sale now and available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com iyo American Express Box Office ee Barclays Center. Si mas'uul ah adigoo taleefoon, wac Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Albaabada furan 6:00 PM, dagaalka ugu horeysay ka bilaabantaa 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah fadlan booqo www.rocnation.com. Raac Roc Nation on Twitter oo Instagramrocnation iyo Facebook ee www.facebook.com/RocNation.
Wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah, booqasho www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
About Roc Nation Sports
Roc Nation Sports, a-division sub ee Roc Nation, bilaabay guga 2013. Founder Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s love of sports lead to the natural formation of Roc Nations Sports, caawiyo ciyaartoyda si la mid ah Roc Nation ayaa ka caawiyay fanaaniinta in industry music sanado. Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field. Roc Nation Sports conceptualizes oo uu suuq-geynta iyo oggolaanshaha heshiis, Bulshada, Sadaqaysta kulanka-tago, xiriirka warbaahinta iyo istaraatijiyad brand. Roc Nation Sports bilaabay horyaalka heerka ay feerka, adeeg buuxa shirkad xayaysiis oo matala kooxda heysata horyaalka adduunka Miguel Cotto iyo Andre Ward, in August 2014. Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premiere athletes such as Robinson Cano, Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, James Young, Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Rusney Castillo, Yoenis Cespedes, Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Wilson Chandler, Erick Aybar, Justice Winslow, Willie Cauley-Stein and Frances Tiafoe.
About Miguel Cotto Promotions
Miguel Cotto Promotions is the leading promotional company in Puerto Rico founded by the five-time and four-division world champion Miguel Cotto and entrepreneur Hector Soto in 2005. Miguel Cotto Promotions has the vision of developing the best talent in Puerto Rico and Latin America, while searching for the best partnerships in the business to present the best quality shows in the industry. In 2015, Miguel Cotto Promotions launched their most recent project named “Boxeo Al Maximo” in partnership with Univision Puerto Rico network, capturing great ratings results on the new Saturday night fights’ platform.
About Gary Shaw Productions
Based out of New Jersey, Gary Shaw Productions was founded in 2002 by President and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Shaw, a former NJ regulator. Having promoted boxing shows in China, Australia, Mexico and the U.K., GSP is known as an international enterprise, whose main objective is to bring excitement to boxing with competitive fights. Partaking in some of the biggest events in boxing history, which include Felix Trinidad vs. Fernando Vargas, Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko, Winky Wright vs. Felix Trinidad, Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo, Shane Mosley vs. Winky Wright and Marquez vs Vasquez I, II & III, GSP has solidified its self as one of the top promotional companies in the sport.
About Barclays Center
Barclays Center opened on September 28, 2012, and is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. One of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed into a modern multi-purpose arena, Barclays Center offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,795 for hockey, and up to 19,000 seats for concerts, oo uu leeyahay 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, iyo 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express.
Barclays Center hosts an extensive variety of events, including premier concerts, major professional boxing cards, top college basketball, family shows, the Brooklyn Nets and soon the New York Islanders.
Barclays Center has redefined the arena customer service and culinary experience. Its more than 2,000 employees are trained by Disney Institute, the business advisory arm of The Walt Disney Company, and its BrooklynTaste™ food program features selections from 55 well-known restaurants and vendors in the borough.
Barclays Center engages the customer with state-of-the-art technology to enhance the fan experience. As the first arena in the world to utilize Cisco StadiumVision mobile multicast streaming technology, Barclays Center allows fans to watch live video and instant replays from their mobile phones while connected to the arena’s free Wi-Fi.
Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, iyo 11 bus lines.
For more information on Barclays Center, fadlan booqo www.barclayscenter.com