WBC & RING MAGAZINE MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION COTTO TO FACE FORMER TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION GEALE ON Juni 6, 2015 AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN LIVE ON HBO®

DOOR ROC NATION SPORTS + MIGUEL COTTO PROMOTIONS

NEW YORK (Juni 2, 2015) – Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions hosted the final press conference for the June 6 showdown between WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto and former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale on Tuesday, Juni 2 bij B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. Along with the main event participants, undercard fighters Junior Younan and Zhang Zhilei were also in attendance. Other speakers included Michael Yormark (President & Chief of Branding and Strategy of Roc Nation), Hector Soto (Miguel Cotto Promoties), Freddie Roach (Cotto’s Trainer), Gary Shaw (Gary Shaw Productions), Graham Shaw (Geale’s Trainer), Brett Yormark (CEO of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets), Peter Nelson (VP HBO Sports Programming), David Berlin (Executive Director of the New York State Athletic Commission) and Ululy Martinez (Vice Chairman of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors). The press conference was emceed by Brooklyn Nets Public Address Announcer David Diamante.

FOTO'S:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zghog55phfcebgl/AADdHvtxcpbR-JVk2zOI54qPa?dl=0

PHOTO CREDIT: Rich Kane – Hoganphotos/Roc Nation Sports

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wzeqxzlc7s79fev/AAAZBtNFUxTp3M_WOX65_pvNa?dl=0

PHOTO CREDIT: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Roc Nation Sports

VIDEO:

https://afcdmc.wetransfer.com/downloads/3f23a9e586626a96ca1668595cf3bd9a20150602192446/289ecc8fa6501bef51b475409c0db45d20150602192446/45c282

VIDEO CREDIT: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Roc Nation Sports

Here’s what press conference participants had to say:

Michael Yormark – President & Chief of Branding and Strategy of Roc Nation

“Led by our Chairman JAY Z and his partners, Roc Nation was founded to work with artists and entertainers to guide them and help them build their careers even beyond the boundaries of the music industry. It is fitting then, that today we stand in a setting named for the legendary BB King – may he rest in peace – an artist and a man that knew no boundaries during a career that transcended his art. In a few short years, Roc Nation itself has expanded beyond the world of music, diversifying in a way that many never thought possible. Today we begin to celebrate a landmark in that expansion, as another legend, World Champion Miguel Cotto, prepares to headline Roc Nation’s first major fight on Saturday night against Daniel Geale, live at Barclays Center and on HBO.”

“When Roc Nation founded its boxing division less than a year ago, we committed to doing things differently, and what you will see on Saturday night will be different. The eyes of the boxing world will be fixed on Barclays Center on Saturday, with celebrities and VIP’s lining the ring and a captivated audience watching at home. They will watch with anticipation, awaiting not only a masterful performance from the champion Miguel Cotto against a formidable opponent, but also an electric appearance from Roc Nation artist and hip-hop superstar Big Sean, as well as the voice of New York Angie Martinez, and a host of other surprises that will make this live boxing experience different from anything you’ve ever seen before.”

“Saturday is the start of something new and fresh for the boxing industry. It is a chance for all of us to show boxing fans, and sports and entertainment fans around the world, that the action on fight night can and will live up to the hype.”

Hector Soto – Miguel Cotto Promotions

“It has been several months of hard work and dedication. Puerto Rico will shine again on the night of June 6 when Miguel Cotto defends his titles successfully.”

Ululy Rafael Martinez – Puerto Rican Day Parade

“We’re really happy this year to formalize a relationship with Miguel Cotto thanks to Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions. I also want to thank Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions for contributing to our scholarship fund. They are helping us empower young high school students and college students we provide scholarships to so they can further their education. I’m encouraging everyone planning on coming to the Parade on June 14 to support our man Miguel Cotto On Saturday, Juni 6 at Barclays Center for the boxing match of the year.”

David Berlin – New York Athletic Commission

“Miguel Cotto and Daniel Geale represent the best in boxing. These are men that carry themselves with dignity both inside and outside the ring. Men who can be respectful because they don’t have to prove themselves with words. Where they prove themselves each and every time they fight is inside that ring.”

“Now that I am with the commission, I no longer root for fighters. I’m in a neutral role, but I do root for fights. I root for fights when fighters come into the ring and they fight hard but they leave the ring safely. I root for fights that satisfy the fans and fights where the right man has his hand raised at the end. That of course is where the New York State Athletic Commission comes in.

“This promises to be a competitive fight. Obviously a competitive fight means it’s a hard night for judges, but what I’m committing to the fighters and fans is that we are going to have competent, qualified and neutral officials in place and the right man is going to have his hand raised at the end of the fight. I wish both men good luck on Saturday night.”

Brett Yormark – CEO of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets

“We’re expecting a great night on Saturday night. Zo, hopefully we see all of you. Tickets zijn nog steeds te koop. Saturday night represents our 13^th night of championship boxing at Barclays Center since we opened the building 32 months ago and boxing plays a huge role in what we do in Brooklyn.”

Peter Nelson – Vice President of Programming HBO Sports Programming

“We look forward to two fighters who have always rose to every challenge that has been put in front of them. Daniel Geale had a lucrative opportunity at one point in time to make his HBO debut and he actually decided instead to go to Germany, to Felix Sturm’s backyard, fight him for his world titles and ended up lifting the titles away from him. He is naturally the largest opponent that Miguel Cotto has ever fought and he’s stepped up to every challenge that’s ever been put in front of him.”

“Miguel Cotto…the last time he stepped into the ring, he entered it an underdog and he ended up leaving it the lineal middleweight champion. He joined just a handful of fighters ever to win four world titles in four separate divisions and he was the first man from Puerto Rico ever to do so. He performed what I saw as one of the strangest punches ever in boxing when he touched a man on the temple and it caused his knee to twist into a knot. I’ve never seen that happen. It was an extraordinary performance.”

“We look to see in this fight, fighters who are going to give us moments of great bravery and great courage. These are the kind of men we want to have on the network. That’s what makes great fights.”

Gary Shaw – Gary Shaw Productions

“I have a personal problem with catch weights. We accepted the catch weight of 157 and I’m not here to complain about the catch weight. We’re going to make the weight. It’s going to be tough. I believe that if a fighter wants to fight at any weight that he wants to fight at, he has that opportunity, but he shouldn’t stop the opponent from fighting at the sanctioned weight which in this case is 160.”

“I believe Daniel Geale is going to win the fight. I believe that Miguel and his team made a mistake. If they were looking at the Golovkin fight, thinking that’s the Daniel that is going to come into the ring…it will not be that same Daniel Geale.”

“It’s truly an honor to represent Daniel Geale because he’s a different young man. The first time I met him, I flew to Germany. I looked around and I couldn’t identify Daniel Geale. Little did I know, he was standing against the back wall. After taking my seat at the dais, Daniel Geale walked up. I looked at him and I said “we’re in trouble! This kid looks like a choir boy not a fighter,” but he gave it all he got and he won the fight. Hij is een familieman. Doesn’t travel with an entourage. Always on time. Trains hard. Does everything that a true champion has to do.”

Daniel Geale – Voormalig tweevoudig wereldkampioen

“This is a huge opportunity and I’m very excited. We’re so excited as a team that this fight is taking place. We’ve put a great training camp in for this fight and I’m feeling as good as I ever have. Er is geen excuus. I’m going in as the best fighter I can possibly be. I’m hoping Miguel Cotto is the best fighter he can be as well. I want the fans to enjoy a great fight and I believe it will be a great fight. I can’t wait to walk away with another title. I’m going in very confident and I know a lot of people aren’t giving me much of a chance, but I have a huge amount of confidence in myself knowing I’ve completed a great training camp. Knowing that I have put everything that I possibly can into it and knowing that I have such a great team. I look forward to Saturday night.”

Freddie Roach – Cotto’s Trainer

“We’ve had a great training camp. Miguel is in great shape. Our sparring partners on our team have been great. And we’re ready for this fight. Gary’s been making a big deal about catch weights, but they have been around for a long time and he knows how to read a contract and he’s had that contract for a long time now, so I don’t think that’s an issue. We look forward to seeing you at the fight.”

Miguel Cotto – WBC & Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion

“I want to thank my lovely family for being here with my. My kids, my wife, my lovely mom. Thank you for always supporting my career no matter how hard it seems or looks to you. I love you.”

“I think that people are making a big issue where there does not need to be a big issue with catch weights. Freddie, terug in 2009, made me go down from 147 naar 145. Did anyone hear anything about Miguel Cotto disagreeing with the catch weights? Niet Doen, I was a gentlemen the whole way. Catch weights were our main point to make this fight happen. Daniel and his team agreed to going down to 157 and I hope he can make weight on Friday. I hope to see everyone there on Saturday night.”

“Freddie brings the confidence back to Miguel. He comes every day no matter what he feels and gives his best to me. When you have this kind of person in front of you giving you his best and making sure that you are going to do your best, the only way you can pay him back is bringing your best too. We only talk about boxing when we are in the gym. He’s my trainer there, but as soon as we finish our training session, he’s my friend.”

Cotto vs. Geale, een 12-round strijd voor de WBC en Ring Magazine middengewicht WK Cotto's, vindt plaats op zaterdag, Juni 6 bij Barclays Center in Brooklyn en zal live worden uitgezonden op HBO. De strijd, which is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, will be the official kick-off event of the 2015 National Puerto Rican Day Parade Week and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Jaybird, TapouT, Tequila Cazadores, Venue Kings and Nüe Resource. Naast de grote actie in de ring, het evenement zal beschikken over een aantal opmerkelijke Roc Nation details die verder toeschouwers zal dienen met een verbeterde ventilator ervaring, waaronder Roc Nation en Grammy genomineerde artiest Big Sean die naar de ring gaat voor een speciale uitvoering voorafgaand aan het hoofdevenement. Het evenement zal worden georganiseerd door de opmerkelijke emcee "The Voice of New York" Angie Martinez en zal ook de topmeester DJ Lobo bevatten die de hele nacht naast Martinez zal dienen. Tickets geprijsd op $500, $250, $200, $150, $100, $80, $50, $35 en $25, niet met inbegrip van toepasselijke diensten en belastingen, zijn nu te koop en te koop bijwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com en op de American Express Box Office op Barclays Center. Voor het opladen via de telefoon, bel Ticketmaster op (800) 745-3000. Deuren open om 6:00 PM, het eerste gevecht begint om 6:15 PM en de HBO-uitzending begint om 10:30 PM ET / PT.

Voor meer informatie kunt u terecht op www.rocnation.com. Volg Roc Nation op Twitter en Instagramrocnation en op Facebook op www.facebook.com/RocNation.

Voor meer informatie, bezoek www.hbo.com/boxing, volgen op Twitter en Instagram opHBOBoxing en word fan op Facebook op www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

WBC MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL COTTO TO FACE

FORMER TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION DANIEL GEALE

ON Juni 6, 2015 AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN LIVE ON HBO®

DOOR ROC NATION SPORTS + MIGUEL COTTO PROMOTIONS

Los Angeles (Mei 26, 2015) – Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO's), the reigning WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes, will defend his titles against former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO's) of Australia on Juni 6, 2015 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a 12-round fight that will be televised live on HBO. Cotto hosted a Los Angeles media workout Dinsdagafternoon at Wild Card Boxing Club in preparation for his title defense against Geale.

FOTO'S:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fqjvnl11t2q1xbb/AAAOImxUmohGdl5fC1fp2Fnka?dl=0

PHOTO CREDIT: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Roc Nation Sports

VIDEO:

https://afcdmc.wetransfer.com/downloads/1397cb7b30b42decabe83c7b48c48f9520150526232502/c178d18b36986aea786b9c36c0ccae4120150526232502/526528

VIDEO CREDIT: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Roc Nation Sports

Here’s what Cotto and his trainer, Freddie Roach, te zeggen had:

Miguel Cotto – WBC & Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion

“I feel good and in the best shape possible. I just feel ready. I know Geale is a tough opponent and he is going to bring his best on Juni 6, but I trust in the work we have done here in Los Angeles and I’m going to bring my best too.”

“After 14 jaar in het boksen, the best decision I could have made was to take the last year off. My mind was not in boxing, but since I got here with Freddie, everything is working perfectly again. Boxing is all I know. Boksen is mijn leven. Through boxing, I raised my family and I work to provide the best future for them. They are the reason I love boxing.”

“Boxing at this point in my career is a battle with myself. Everyday I need to bring my best in the gym from morning to evening. Next week has to be better than last week. I need to ask myself to be better every day. I know that if I bring my best to the gym every day, I can bring my best the night ofJuni 6 against Geale.”

“Freddie comes here every day with the best attitude and he knows how to get the best out of me.”

“It will have been 364 days to the day on Juni 6 since I have been in the ring. It’s not difficult to get back in after this long stretch. I’ve been focused on my work. I have gained more knowledge during my time off in order to get myself ready to fight again.”

“Daniel Geale is the next chapter in my career. After I get through him, I can talk about what comes next.”

Freddie Roach – Cotto’s Trainer

“Miguel’s sparring has been great. His movement has been very good. It’s hard on me in the ring! His body shots are very effective and the head shots come with it. I think we are going to get a late round knockout. Geale is tough enough to go some rounds, but a knockout in a late round…that’s my call.”

“One of Miguel’s greatest strength against Geale will be his body shots, but Miguel’s knowledge in the ring will be Geale’s ultimate undoing.”

“He has found a new home here at Wild Card and I’m glad I provided that for him. He loves this gym. He loves the atmosphere. He’s thrived in this environment and when a fighter is in a good mood and happy, he performs at the highest level.”

Cotto vs. Geale, een 12-round strijd voor de WBC en Ring Magazine middengewicht WK Cotto's, vindt plaats Zaterdag, Juni 6 bij Barclays Center in Brooklyn en zal live worden uitgezonden op HBO. De strijd, which is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, will be the official kick-off event of the 2015 National Puerto Rican Day Parade Week and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Jaybird, TapouT, Tequila Cazadores and Venue Kings. Naast de grote actie in de ring, het evenement zal beschikken over een aantal opmerkelijke Roc Nation details die verder toeschouwers zal dienen met een verbeterde ventilator ervaring, waaronder Roc Nation en Grammy genomineerde artiest Big Sean die naar de ring gaat voor een speciale uitvoering voorafgaand aan het hoofdevenement. Het evenement zal worden georganiseerd door de opmerkelijke emcee "The Voice of New York" Angie Martinez en zal ook de topmeester DJ Lobo bevatten die de hele nacht naast Martinez zal dienen. Tickets geprijsd op $500, $350, $250, $200, $150, $100, $80, $50, $35 en $25, niet met inbegrip van toepasselijke diensten en belastingen, zijn nu te koop en te koop bij www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com en op de American Express Box Office op Barclays Center. Voor het opladen via de telefoon, bel Ticketmaster op (800) 745-3000. Deuren open om 6:00 PM, het eerste gevecht begint om 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET/PT.

Voor meer informatie kunt u terecht op www.rocnation.com. Volg Roc Nation op Twitter en Instagramrocnation en op Facebook op www.facebook.com/RocNation.

Voor meer informatie, bezoek www.hbo.com/boxing, volgen op Twitter en Instagram opHBOBoxing en word fan op Facebook op www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Cotto Receives Honorary Title of “Athlete of the Year”

NEW YORK (Mei 26, 2015) – The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) today announced that its 2015 Parade, gepland voor Zondag, Juni 14 on New York’s Fifth Avenue, will officially kick off a week of festivities with the WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship fight between Miguel Cotto and Daniel Geale on Zaterdag, Juni 6, 2015 bij Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It was also announced that Miguel Cotto, Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions will be making a contribution to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Scholarship Fund.

“Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions are thrilled to be aligned with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade and to kick off their week of festivities with our event on June 6 bij Barclays Center in Brooklyn,"Zei David Itskowitch, COO of Boxing for Roc Nation Sports. “New York’s Puerto Rican community has supported Miguel throughout his career and we look forward to mirroring that support through our scholarship fund contribution and association with the Parade’s mission to promote education and empowerment.”

Bovendien, to honor Cotto’s impressive athletic accomplishments spanning over a decade which include him becoming Puerto Rico’s first and only Four Division World Champion, the NPRDP has bestowed upon him the honorary title of “Athlete of the Year.”

“It’s a privilege for my June 6 fight against Daniel Geale at Barclays Center in Brooklyn to be named the official kick-off event of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Week and I want to express my deepest gratitude for being honored me as Athlete of the Year,” said Cotto. “New York is truly my second home because I have been embraced by its Puerto Rican community. I’m looking forward to seeing my New York fans at Barclays Center on Juni 6."

The NPRDP established the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Scholarship Awards Program to help promote the pursuit of higher education within the community. In 2015, the organization will double the total dollar figure and number of scholarships awarded from the previous year to 30 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 elk. In celebration of the 2015 class of scholarship winners, Miguel Cotto, Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions will be contributing $5,000 to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Scholarship Fund in support of helping other high school and college students pay for their educations.

“The mission of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is to create an awareness and appreciation of Puerto Rican contributions to the United States by holding an annual parade that displays the culture and diverse achievements of the Puerto Rican community and by supporting the higher education of our youth through our scholarship program,” said Ululy Rafael Martinez, Vice-Chair of NPRDP. “We are proud to honor Miguel Cotto as Athlete of the Year and express our deepest gratitude to Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Productions for contributing to our scholarship fund.”

De 2015 National Puerto Rican Day Parade will take place on Zondag, Juni 14, uit 11:00 AM naar 5:00 PM on New York’s Fifth Avenue. The Parade’s overall theme will be a continuation of “Un Pueblo Muchas Voces” (One Community, Many Voices) with a special commemorative theme “Celebrating Afro-Boricua Heritage,” meant to coincide with the designation of the next decade as the “International Decade for People of African Descent” by the United Nations. Spectators can watch the Parade from any designated areas between E. 44th and E. 79th Streets. NPRDP 2015 official events include the following:

Mei 27 – Education Leadership Awards
Mei 30 – 152nd Street Festival in the Bronx
Juni 6 – Miguel Cotto vs. Daniel Geale at Barclays Center in Brooklyn
Juni 6 – Rising Stars Challenge
Juni 7 – Annual Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Juni 12 – Annual Gala of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Juni 14 – 58th National Puerto Rican Day Parade

Voor meer informatie kunt u terecht op www.nprdpinc.org. Follow NPRDP on Twitter: @PRparadeNYC, Instagram: NPRDP, #PRparade, en op Facebook opwww.facebook.com/NationalPuertoRicanParade.

Cotto vs. Geale, een 12-round strijd voor de WBC en Ring Magazine middengewicht WK Cotto's, vindt plaats Zaterdag, Juni 6 bij Barclays Center in Brooklyn en zal live worden uitgezonden op HBO. De strijd, which is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, will be the official kick-off event of the 2015 National Puerto Rican Day Parade Week and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Jaybird, TapouT, Tequila Cazadores and Venue Kings. Naast de grote actie in de ring, het evenement zal beschikken over een aantal opmerkelijke Roc Nation details die verder toeschouwers zal dienen met een verbeterde ventilator ervaring, waaronder Roc Nation en Grammy genomineerde artiest Big Sean die naar de ring gaat voor een speciale uitvoering voorafgaand aan het hoofdevenement. Het evenement zal worden georganiseerd door de opmerkelijke emcee "The Voice of New York" Angie Martinez en zal ook de topmeester DJ Lobo bevatten die de hele nacht naast Martinez zal dienen. Tickets geprijsd op $500, $350, $250, $200, $150, $100, $50 en $25, niet met inbegrip van toepasselijke diensten en belastingen, zijn nu te koop en te koop bijwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com en op de American Express Box Office op Barclays Center. Voor het opladen via de telefoon, bel Ticketmaster op (800) 745-3000. Deuren open om 6:00 PM, het eerste gevecht begint om 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET/PT.

Voor meer informatie kunt u terecht op www.rocnation.com. Volg Roc Nation op Twitter en Instagramrocnation en op Facebook opwww.facebook.com/RocNation.

Voor meer informatie, bezoek www.hbo.com/boxing, volgen op Twitter en Instagram opHBOBoxing en word fan op Facebook opwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.