Tag Archives: WBC

Sampson Boxing Signs ‘Bad Boy’ Rosas to a Promotional Agreement

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing is proud to announce the signing of formidable super bantamweight contender Daniel “Bad Boy” Rosas to a promotional agreement.
Rosas (20-2-1, 12 KOs), of Mexico City, is a two-time world title challenger and former WBO Youth Super Flyweight and WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Super Flyweight Champion.
A tough, toe-to-toe slugger with fast hands and a penchant for body punching, 26-year-old Rosas says he’s happy to be joining the Sampson Boxing stable.
“I’m so excited,” said Rosas. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been waiting a long time to sign with Sampson. I am planning to take things up another level and get a shot at the world championship. I want to thank my manager, Fernando Dominguez, for helping me get this opportunity and putting me in with the right people to help make my boxing dream come true.”
Manager Dominguez, who also handles top super bantamweight contender and upcoming title challenger Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz, says he couldn’t be happier with the deal. “I feel good because all my fighters are with Sampson, he said. “I trust Sampson and I’m proud to be his right hand in Mexico. I think Daniel Rosas is a future world champion and this deal will be the final piece of the puzzle to getting him there.”
Sampson Lewkowicz says he looks forward to seeing what Rosas can do with proper representation.
“He is a very talented fighter,” said Lewkowicz of Rosas, “very tough and determined. He has the guts and the fearlessness to become a champion.”
Lewkowicz adds that the addition of Rosas is part of his bigger plan for the future.
“I am building an army of world-class super bantamweights,” he continued. “This is one of the most exciting divisions in boxing and several of my fighters are right in the mix. I look forward to putting together several of the next few years’ best match-ups at the weight.”

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight contender, Julian ” J Rock” Williams wants to set trend with year round PED testing

Philadelphia , PA (December 1, 2015)–Undefeated Jr. Middleweight, Julian “J Rock” Williams has laid down the gauntlet to all boxers around the world as he wants to be the first professional boxer to be tested by BOTH USADA & VADA randomly throughout the year.

Williams (21-0-1, 13 KO’s), is currently ranked number-7 by the WBC, Number-10 by the WBA, & Number-6 by the IBF, wants to prove to the world that there would be no doubt left in anyone’s  mind as he continues his quest to become world champion.

The 25 year-old native of Philadelphia has climbed up the latter and has become a fan favorite throughout the world for his fan-friendly style in which he possesses terrific skills which has earned him the moniker of “Mr Do it All”

Below, Williams outlines his vision of how and why random testing is needed at the championship level

VADA vs USADA View

“I want to be known as the 1st boxer to actively participate in 365/24/7 Olympic Style Testing with two different agencies. USADA and VADA. I don’t know if I will be the best boxer of this era, that remains to be seen. But what I will prove, is that accomplishments are 100% legit. I want to be the pioneer in this. I’m presently seeking sponsors to help me. I’m not a millionaire yet, so money is an issue but I am working to get to the point where I can test continuously no matter if I have a fight scheduled or not. This will be very easy for me because I am 100% clean all the time. Not some of the time. I don’t indulge in drinking or smoking either. I don’t think it’s realistic to test every single fighter in the world. But I do think once you get ranked and/or a champion then we should be in a random testing pool. If I am able to get this done I will welcome any future opponent to participate with me. If my opponent refuses then the fans and media can draw a fair reference and conclusion.”

Last Fight

“I actually had an injury my last fight that I don’t talk about. I’ve never pulled out of a fight because of an injury and I wasn’t going to blow my opportunity to headline PBC near my hometown. So I made my mind up that I was going to blow right through my opponent. People don’t realize I had 4 first round KO’s to start my career, so I can fight like that if I choose. My trainer told me that the other fights went the distance so my fight may not be shown in it’s entirety. I kept telling him I was going to get a 1st round stoppage. So that gave me extra incentive to come through in the clutch. Cuello was a solid fighter but I knew he was in trouble from the 1st few seconds. He didn’t have the reflexes or strength to deal with me.”

Future Opponents, Post Fight Interview
“I’m not as quiet as some people think. I’m not shy either. I just don’t over talk because I will lose my edge. Close to a fight I’m in a very bad mood and I can’t lose my edge. So I don’t talk much. But I was in the zone after my fight.I had just scored a big victory in front of my folks. I love Philadelphia, I was born and raised here. But I’m specifically from West Philly and we have never had a world champion. The best fighters in Philly are usually from North Philly or South Philly. Tyrell Biggs is a mentor of mine, he’s from West Philly but he didn’t win the title. Danny Garcia and Bernard Hopkins are from North Philly…When the ref stopped the fight I was in the zone and I saw a bunch of West Phily in he house…… But honestly I knew I was going to smoke him early. My trainer had been telling me I give guys breaks sometimes by picking them apart technically. So after the ref stopped the fight I let everyone know what was up.”

“Austin Trout a potential opponent of mine who was working as a broadcaster. So I walked over and let him know what was up. Then doing my interview I let everyone know that I would go to Houston to fight Jermall Charlo for his title. But honestly I did that because my trainer was asked would I take fights with either guy. I don’t get into who I fight because I don’t care. I let him handle that. But he told me he was asked, so I just became vocal about it. But I’m not speaking on that anymore. It’s getting old and I don’t care anymore if I fight either guy. I have learned that boxing is a business. I was a little frustrated that I didn’t get either fight but I’ve learned acceptance and I have moved on. I want to concentrate on who is willing to fight and my next date. I wish those guys the best of luck and continued success.”

Next Date

“I thought I would fight 4 times in 2015 but honestly it doesn’t look that way. I definitely wanted to get 4 in because it keeps you sharp. Each fight I had this year I was sharper and sharper. Plus fighting often keeps you close to weight which is important. I was just told that I would go in January. So I just finished a two week mini camp just to work on strength. I’m in the heat of camp now with a return date of January 16th or Jan 23rd. I will be fighting the #1 spot in the IBF to become the mandatory contender to fight for that title. At the end of the day I was never given anything in boxing. I can’t get a champion to voluntarily defend against me. So by becoming a mandatory, I’m forcing a title shot and I plan on taking full advantage of it.”

MIGUEL COTTO VS. CANELO ALVAREZ UNDERCARD FINAL MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS

 

 

 

COTTO AND CANELO CLASH NOVEMBER 21 AT
THE MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER IN LAS VEGAS
PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED LIVE BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW

 

Click HERE for Photos

Photo Credit: Tom Hogan –Hogan Photos/Roc Nation Sports & Golden Boy Promotions

 

LAS VEGAS (November 19) – Fighters featured on the Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez undercard hosted a media workout in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino ahead of their scheduled fights on November 21.

 

Joining in the day’s festivities, WBC Super Featherweight World Champion, Takashi Miura (29-2-2, 22 KOs) and undefeated top contender Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (22-0-1, 16 KOs), who are scheduled to face off in a12-round battle, gave fans something to cheer about as they shadow boxed in the ring.

 

Also in attendance, former WBA and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion and one of boxing’ best pound-for-pound fighters Guillermo Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs) of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and Drian Francisco (28-3-1, 22 KOs) of the Philippines not only showed off in the ring, but spent time with fans at the media event ahead of their 10-round super bantamweight fight.

 

Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, undefeated, multiple-regional title champion Jayson “Star” Velez (23-0-1, 16 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico, and opponent Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios(24-1, 10 KOs) were also in attendance ahead of their Puerto Rico vs. Mexico themed 10-round featherweight bout.

 

IBF Bantamweight World Champion, Randy “El Matador” Caballero (22-0, 13 KOs) and England’s Lee “Playboy” Haskins (32-3, 14 KOs) were on hand to show off in the ring and address members of the press ahead of their scheduled 12-round world championship bout.

 

Making his Las Vegas debut, heavyweight prospect Zhang Zhilei (5-0, 3 KOs) of Zhengzhou, China came into the ring and gave the fans a display of power.

 

Below is what the fighters had to say about their upcoming bouts.

 

TAKASHI MIURA, WBC Super Featherweight World Champion:

 

“This is a big fight for me and I am ready to defend my title and prove I am still the best fighter in the division.

 

“This will be my fifth title defense and my tenth consecutive victory. I am proud of that accomplishment and will be ready to give fans an exciting fight.”

 

FRANCISCO VARGAS, Super Featherweight World Title Contender:

 

“I have had a great training camp, with a lot of conditioning running in the mountains and making sure I sparred with fighters who had similar qualities to Takashi.

 

“The thought of carrying Mexico with me has made me concentrated and motivated to win the fight on Saturday.

 

“I am feel good and my goal is always to bring the best of myself in the ring and so far I feel like I have delivered exciting fights to all the fans.  Saturday will be no different. I am ready to deliver a great fight and I am also ready to deliver a victory to Mexico.

 

“I feel ready to fight him. We know that the Japanese come and fight hard but I think the Mexicans are better.”

 

GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX, Former WBA and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion:

 

“I would like to thank Roc Nation Sports for the opportunity. I’m really happy to be a part of the Roc Nation family now. Signing with Roc Nation has been the best decision I have made. They are capable of taking my career to the next level. It’s what I need to stay active in the ring and give the fans what they want. I appreciate all the fans coming out today. The preparation is done and I’m ready to get in the ring and give the fans a show.

 

“I’m a very good boxer. And I’m always going to be ready for the next fight. And the fans are going to see that I can put on a show every time. Get ready to see what’s coming next.

 

“To the rest of the super bantamweights out there with belts, beware because I am coming for them. I’m coming for all the belts and I am going to destroy them all.

“I am the real champion. And everyone knows it. If you want to step in the ring with me, to prove it, let’s do it. It’s up to the fans to demand it from their champion to step up and get in the ring with me. They can run, but they can’t hide.

 

“Once I’m done with Francisco, I’m ready to fight everyone else. My energy after that will be spent winning all my belts back. I don’t need to say I am the best. I demonstrate it. I will fight anyone at my weight.

 

DRIAN FRANCISCO, Super Bantamweight Contender: 

 

“I know that Rigondeaux is one of the best fighters. He’s one of the top four or five best fighters in the world. But I’m here to fight and I am here to win.

 

“I’m mentally prepared for this fight. I hope the fans will support me. I will do my best in the ring.”

 

JAYSON VELEZ, Featherweight Contender:

 

“I’m excited, I feel happy, it’s my first time fighting here, fighting in a great event, fighting in Las Vegas, first time fighting on HBO Pay-Per-View, I’m happy, what more can I ask?

 

“I’m ready to be a world champion, I’m ready to fight Ronny. He’s a top fighter but I will beat him.

 

“Mexico vs Puerto Rico are the top fighters in boxing so I’m happy to be part of that.”

 

RONNY RIOS, Featherweight Contender:

 

“I’m not going to say anything, I’ve never been a talker. I’m just going to go out there and show it.

 

“It means a lot to me that my fans have stood by me. Last year was a very hard year for us so that means a lot. I’m really thankful and grateful.

 

“Fighting at this level, getting an opportunity like this, we have to take our game up ten notches. We’re focused, we’re ready and stay tuned and watch. I’m sure you’ll see an exciting fight.”

 

RANDY CABALLERO, IBF Bantamweight World Champion:

 

“It’ll be an action-packed night but I promise everybody it will be my night to shine. I’m going to show them why I’m the IBF Bantamweight world champion.

 

“I don’t care who it is, I’ll fight anybody. From heavyweight to straw weight, I’ll take whoever.

 

“I know him, I see that hunger in him, a young hungry Canelo that wants to come out on top where he belongs and I think he’s going to pull it off.”

 

LEE HASKINS, IBF Bantamweight Mandatory Challenger:

 

“Fighting in Las Vegas, fighting in a fight of this magnitude, I never thought in my dreams I’d be on an undercard like this, that’s what’s giving me the extra push.

 

“It feels absolutely amazing, just to be here. The magnitude of the fight, seeing everybody here, just up in the middle of the Vegas square, it’s incredible.

 

“I take nothing away from that, I’m sure he’s done a lot of sparing and he’s just as ready as myself. I’m just looking forward to having a great fight.”

 

ZHANG ZHILEI, Heavyweight Prospect:

 

“I really appreciate the exposure that I will have on Nov. 21. And I welcome the fans from all over the world to watch my fight and to see how exciting I can make the fight. I will do my best to get a knockout.

 

“I don’t know a lot about my opponent, just basic information. For training, I concentrate on my part and what my trainer has told me. For me, I just have to do what I do in the ring.

 

“I’ll bring an exciting fight to Nov. 21 and I’ll make everyone remember there’s a giant from the East.”

 

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Management Solutions (ctms). Also on the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast will be Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round co-featured fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions; Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Drian Francisco in a 10-round super bantamweight bout presented in association with Caribe Promotions; and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round bout for the WBC Silver Featherweight World Championship, which will open the Pay-Per-View telecast. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

 

Randy Caballero vs. Lee Haskins, a 12-round fight for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship, is presented in association with Bristol Boxing Ltd. and will be featured as part of the preliminary undercard available on digital platforms starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. Also part of the preliminary undercard available on digital platforms will be a four-round heavyweight bout featuring 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Zhang Zhilei who faces Juan Goode.

 

In addition to the great action inside the ring, the event will feature a special live performance by 2015 Latin Grammy nominee Yandel. The performance will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View after the second fight of the pay-per-view telecast.

 

A limited number of tickets priced at $2,000, $1,750, $1,250 and $650, not including applicable service charges, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office, ticketmaster.com,mandalaybay.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.  Ticket orders are limited to four per person.

 

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo at select MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

 

Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez will be presented live with Fathom Events in select theaters nationwide. Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visitingwww.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit www.fathomevents.com/event/cotto-vs-canelo-live.

 

Sports bars, restaurants, casinos (outside of Clark County, NV) and other commercial establishments can order Cotto vs. Canelo by contacting Joe Hand Promotions at 1-800-557-4263 or visit www.JoeHandPromotions.com. Joe Hand Promotions is the exclusive commercial distributor for Cotto vs. Canelo throughout the United States and Canada.

 

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxing andwww.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

MIGUEL COTTO VS. CANELO ALVAREZ – WHO WILL BE VICTORIOUS ON NOVEMBER 21?

 CELEBRITIES, SPORTS FIGURES AND MEDIA WRITERS MAKE THEIR PREDICTIONS FOR THE EPIC PUERTO RICO VS. MEXICO SHOWDOWN

 

LIVE FROM THE MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER IN LAS VEGAS AND PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW

 

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 17, 2015) – Buzz is building for the epic showdown set for this Saturday, November 21 when Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and former two-time Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) will meet in the ring at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for the Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship.

 

Home to some of the greatest fighters to ever lace up the gloves, the middleweight division has long been a favorite of boxing fans because of the opportunity to watch fighters with unique skill sets and intangibles compete on the sport’s biggest stages.

 

As 20-time middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins has said of the division he ruled for more than a decade, “The middleweight division has the power of the heavyweights, and the speed of the flyweights. That’s why the middleweight division will always be one of the prestigious divisions of all-time.”

 

In 2015, a group of middleweights are in the midst of a quest to add their own names to the aforementioned list, and beginning with the November 21 mega fight between Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto and Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas; the era of the “New Kings of the Middleweight Division” is underway.

 

Cotto vs. Canelo is shaping up to be the biggest fight in boxing this year and the biggest fight in the history of the famed Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry. Below is what celebrities, sports figures, media writers and other fighters had to say about their picks for the outcome of Cotto vs. Canelo on Nov. 21:

 

Sugar Ray Leonard, Six-Time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist:

 

“I like Cotto for sentimental reasons and for what he has meant to the sport and boxing fans! Canelo has developed and grown along the way and taken to school against one of the best in Mayweather. If Cotto becomes that Miguel Cotto I remember, he will win by a smart, technical and fearless decision.”

 

Lennox Lewis, Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist:

 

“I’m picking Cotto over Canelo because he has the most experience.”

 

George Foreman, Two-Time Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist:

 

“It will be a battle of wills as they are evenly matched. In my opinion, things will start to separate after that. Canelo Alvarez punches like a mule. Cotto just doesn’t have the heart to run; he will stand to fight after six rounds and by the ninth round he’ll most likely be KO’D by Canelo.”

 

Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of K2 Promotions and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin,Current Unified WBA, IBF, WBC and IBO Middleweight Champion:

 

“It should be a great fight between two champions and two proven warriors. The edge goes to Canelo as he is younger and physically bigger than Cotto, however you can’t count out Cotto with Freddie Roach in his corner. Tom sees it as Canelo by decision, and Gennady thinks Canelo will stop Cotto late.”

 

Sylvester Stallone, Academy Award Nominee Staring in “Creed”:

 

“One of those two guys will win for sure.”

 

Mario Lopez, Host of “Extra”:

 

“We are going for Canelo. My loyalty is to Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. This is a big Puerto Rico and Mexican rivalry.”

 

Rosie Perez, Acclaimed American Actress:

 

“I’m sticking with my fellow Boricua. Win lose or draw, Miguel Cotto all the way!”

 

Kate Del Castillo, Acclaimed Mexican Actress Staring in “The 33”:

 

“Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? Canelo, of course! Of course!”

 

John David Washington, Star of HBO series “Ballers”:

 

“We the fans are in for a dynamic action packed fight. Should be violent and dramatic. I love Cotto because he is all heart. Canelo is a beast and more experienced now. I can’t call it. What I can predict is this will truly be a fan friendly fight and one of the most entertaining fights this year no hype needed. We will get our money’s worth.”

 

Bruce Buffer, Official Octagon Announcer for UFC:

 

“Both Cotto and Canelo possess boxing skills and styles that will make a much-anticipated war in the square ring as they will bring the fight to each other. I give the edge to Miguel Cotto and may the best man that night win.”

 

Claudio Sanchez, Lead Singer and Guitarist for Coheed and Cambria:

 

“Miguel Cotto. His experience, his new trainer Freddie Roach and he left hook to the body will be the key to beating Canelo Alvarez. Viva Puerto Rico!”

 

Erick Aybar, Short Stop for the Atlanta Braves:

 

“I like Cotto because he is a more experienced boxer, a harder puncher and is always leading the attack.”

 

Angie Martinez, American Radio Personality and “The Voice of New York” on Power 105.1:

 

“Cotto, by decision.”

 

Rusney Castillo, Right Fielder for the Boston Red Sox:

 

“I have to support our Roc Nation family member, Miguel Cotto, in his fight against Canelo Alvarez on Nov. 21. I may not be sure what round he will overcome Canelo, but I am confident that Cotto will take the night!”

 

Larry Merchant, Longtime Boxing Analyst and Commentator for HBO Sports:

 

“Old Sayings, ‘Youth must be served.’ Canelo, 25, by TKO in round 10.

 

Old Sayings also say, ‘Great fighters always have one great fight left in them.’ Cotto, 35, by decision.

 

Canelo was lulled, listless vs. Mayweather; true grit vs. Kirkland. Cotto re-dedicated and restored himself vs. so-so opposition. Therefore, I’ve got Canelo.”

 

Dan Rafael, ESPN.com:

 

“Cotto is a great fighter who will be in the Hall of Fame someday but Canelo might join him there eventually and he is 10 years younger and whole lot fresher. Boxing is usually a young man’s game so I am going with Canelo by a late knockout.”

 

Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports:

 

“Canelo by decision. A lot of people lost faith in Canelo after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather did that to a lot of fighters. Alvarez is a supremely gifted fighter who has learned a lot since that fight. He punches well with both hands and is increasingly putting his punches together well. He’s the naturally bigger man and has youth on his side. Cotto’s late-career resurgence has been fueled, in part, by less than stellar opposition. Sergio Martinez was at the end of the line when they fought. I greatly respect Cotto, and he’s going to make it a fight, but I think the bigger, younger and stronger man will win it.”

 

Tim Dahlberg, Associated Press:

 

“I think it will be a good fight early with both fighters taking some punishment. In the end, I think Alvarez will wear down Cotto and win by TKO in the 11th round.”

 

Lyle Fitzsimmons, CBSSports.com:

 

“I can’t recall a recent high-profile fight that seems like so much a 50/50 proposition going in. Cotto has the resume and the skill set. Canelo has the youth and size. In the end, I think this will be the fight in which the youngster proves that he belongs among the elites, using an advantage in energy to carry him to a narrow win in a punishing fight. Canelo by decision.”

 

Lance Pugmire, The Los Angeles Times:

 

“Canelo Alvarez’s youth and power should decide this fight.

 

Even if Miguel Cotto is the smarter, more tactical fighter, he is likely to be drawn into a battle where Alvarez will punish him, and it will likely happen often enough to result in a late stoppage victory. I’ll say, 11th round.”

 

Jeff Powell, The Daily Mail:

 

“Canelo by decision.

 

Even though Freddie Roach’s training has clearly improved Cotto, youth and strength will prevail in what is likely to be a close fight through the first seven or eight rounds with Canelo pulling away in the later stages.”

 

Sergio Machado, NBCDeportes.com:

 

“Miguel Cotto has been and still is a great boxer, actually one of the best in history. However, boxing, like pretty much everything else in life, has generational changes and this may be the time for Canelo Álvarez to take the torch and establish himself as one of the most prominent faces of the sport. Canelo represents a big problem for Cotto because of his power. In his few losses and even in some wins, Cotto has shown problems when he gets hit with power. Cotto likes to engage as well and this is something very dangerous against an opponent with prominent heavy hands. I think Canelo has a slim chance to KO Cotto in the later rounds.”

 

Francisco Cuevas, NBC Deportes:

 

“When two boxers like Canelo and Cotto meet in the ring is a great event for boxing. Cotto should win because of his experience and dedication but Canelo should also win because of his youth and power. At the end of the day the fanatics around the world will win, witnessing a true classic match between two warriors.”

 

Brian Campbell, ESPN.com:

 

“Cotto by decision.

 

Canelo’s advantages in size and youth are hard to ignore. But Cotto’s edge in experience will ultimately be the deciding factor. The more Cotto can use his powerful left hook to dissuade Canelo from turning the fight into a brawl, the bigger the opening will be for the Puerto Rican icon to keep it a boxing match, which plays into his favor.”

 

Steve Kim, UCNLive.com:

 

“In what I believe is a very evenly matched fight, I think youth will eventually prevail and I’m picking Saul Alvarez to edge Miguel Cotto in what will be a hard-fought contest that will see pockets of great action and swings in momentum.”

 

Steve Springer, Author and Former Los Angeles Times Award-Winning Sports Writer:

 

“Canelo by split decision.

 

Canelo wasn’t ready for prime time when fought Mayweather, but this is his time.

At 35, Cotto still has some fight left in him, but his age will show Saturday night.

In a tough, competitive, often brutal match, the torch will be passed.”

 

Robert Littal, BlackSportsOnline.com:

 

“I think Miguel Cotto is going to surprise some people and put a boxing lesson on Canelo.  Freddie Roach is one of the best of putting a game plan together and exploiting weaknesses, I think he has seen how Canelo has problem with movement and good boxers.  You are going to see a combination of excellent boxing, defense and power punching from Cotto and he will cruise to a unanimous dominate decision.”

 

David Avila, TheSweetScience.com:

 

“Before Cotto began training with Freddie Roach, I would have picked Canelo by KO. But Cotto has become a more technical and strategic fighter under Roach. Now, I consider it a deadlocked even fight. I see it ending in a draw.”

 

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championship, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). Also on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round co-featured fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions; Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Drian Francisco in a 10-round super bantamweight bout presented in association with Caribe Promotions; and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight bout which will open the pay-per-view telecast. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

 

Randy Caballero vs. Lee Haskins, a 12-round fight for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship, is presented in association with Bristol Boxing Ltd. and will be featured as part of the preliminary undercards available on digital platforms starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

 

In addition to the great action inside the ring, the event will feature a special live performance by 2015 Latin Grammy nominee Yandel. The performance will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View after the second fight of the pay-per-view telecast.

 

A limited number of tickets priced at $2,000, $1,750, $1,250 and $650, not including applicable service charges, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office, ticketmaster.com,mandalaybay.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.  Ticket orders are limited to four per person.

 

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo at select MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

 

Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez will be presented live with Fathom Events in select theaters nationwide. Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visitingwww.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit www.fathomevents.com/event/cotto-vs-canelo-live.

 

Sports bars, restaurants, casinos (outside of Clark County, NV) and other commercial establishments can order Cotto vs. Canelo by contacting Joe Hand Promotions at 1-800-557-4263 or visit www.JoeHandPromotions.com. Joe Hand Promotions is the exclusive commercial distributor for Cotto vs. Canelo throughout the United States and Canada.

 

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxing andwww.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

WBC & RING MAGAZINE MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL COTTO LOS ANGELES MEDIA WORKOUT AT WILD CARD BOXING CLUB

 

 

 

VIDEOS, PHOTOS AND QUOTES

 

 

Click HERE for Photos

 

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/efyC54W0qaA

 

Photo/Video Credit: Hector Santos Guia/Roc Nation Sports/Miguel Cotto Promotions, LLC

 

LOS ANGELES (November 6, 2015) – WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) hosted a media workout on Nov. 5 with his renowned trainer Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles ahead of his Nov. 21 mega-fight against former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center which will produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

 

Below is what Cotto and Roach had to say:

 

MIGUEL COTTO, WBC, Ring Magazine & Lineal Middleweight World Champion

 

“I don’t care about Canelo’s age. I don’t care about his size. I’m just here to do my work and be ready for Nov. 21. I can tell you that I am going to be in the best shape on Nov. 21.

 

“I don’t care how Canelo is doing in training camp. I hope he can get in his best shape.

 

“People will have to wait to see on Nov. 21 if Canelo’s age is stronger than Miguel’s spirit. OnNov. 21, people are going to see the best Miguel Cotto they have ever seen.

 

“Freddie had the opportunity to make Miguel Cotto work better and harder. With Freddie, I just realized that I could bring more to every day. I’m here to follow everything Freddie wants me to do in training camp.

 

“The biggest tool I have on my side is Freddie Roach. They know what Freddie Roach means in boxing. They know what Freddie Roach is capable of doing with Miguel Cotto.

 

“They know what Miguel Cotto is capable of doing in his fights. I’m going to bring the same level of emotion to this fight.

 

“I’m going into the ring with our plan in mind and will implement it.

 

“The Mexican-Puerto Rican rivalry is one of the biggest in boxing. It’s in our hands to present the fight at the same level of intensity everyone expects. Mexico is a lot bigger than Puerto Rico, but we have something in our boxers that make us able to compete at the same level.

 

“I am a boxer. I’m here working and looking forward to Nov. 21. We are working for the victory and that is what we are going to get on Nov. 21.”

 

 

FREDDIE ROACH, International Boxing Hall of Famer & Seven-Time BWAA Trainer of the Year Award Winner, Miguel Cotto Trainer

 

“I believe this is going to be the best fight of the year. I think it’s a great match up. I think its youth versus experience. How much is Canelo’s youth going to take a toll on him? How much will it help him? I think you get a little bit of everything. You get Mexico versus Puerto Rico. You get youth versus experience. This fight brings a lot to the table. It’s the perfect match. It’s a very exciting fight.

 

“Canelo is only about a half-inch taller [then Miguel]. He doesn’t have a huge height advantage or reach advantage over us. I don’t think he’s stronger than we are. I think we are the better puncher out there. We have more experience. We beat a lot of guys a lot better than him along the way. He’s just another guy to us.

 

“We’ve had four sparring partners against Miguel each day. That’s for breaking the fighter down and hitting the body. We take their legs away from them. I feel that our opponent does a lot on his own. He’s not that disciplined. He’s a young guy. He’s the playboy. He’s a good looking guy. He gets all the girls like Oscar De La Hoya, but the thing is, those girls are not going to help him in this fight.

 

“I have the better fighter. We’ve fought better opposition. We’ve been in there with better fighters. We’ve learned after the process of going through this and he’s still at the beginning of the learning stage. Who knows how far he’ll go? Miguel’s gone a long, long way. We’ve proven ourselves and we’ll prove ourselves again on Nov. 21. I promise.

 

“Miguel and I get along really well together. We’re just working out the strategy of the fight. Both of us work together combining what he’s comfortable with and what I’m comfortable with and it works out really well.

 

“I think we’ll give Canelo a boxing lesson for about five rounds and then I think we’ll turn it up from that point on. After five, I am going to have Miguel go out there and trade with him a little bit and when Canelo slows down a little bit, I think we will knock him out in about eight or nine rounds.”

 

###

 

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). Also featured on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Muira vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

 

Randy Caballero vs. Lee Haskins, a 12-round fight for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship, is presented in association with Bristol Boxing Ltd. and will be featured as part of the preliminary undercards available on digital platforms starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

 

A limited number of tickets priced at $2,000, $1,750, $1,250 and $650, not including applicable service charges, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office, ticketmaster.com,mandalaybay.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.  Ticket orders are limited to four per person.

 

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo at select MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

 

Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez will be presented live with Fathom Events in select theaters nationwide. Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit www.fathomevents.com/event/cotto-vs-canelo-live.

 

Sports bars, restaurants, casinos (outside of Clark County, Nevada) and other commercial establishments can order Cotto vs. Canelo by contacting Joe Hand Promotions at (800) 557-4263 or by visiting www.JoeHandPromotions.com. Joe Hand Promotions is the exclusive commercial distributor for Cotto vs. Canelo throughout the United States and Canada.

 

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxingand www.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez,www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

 

 Undefeated Welterweight Javier Flores takes on Jamie Herrera on November 5, 2015 for the WBC United States National Welterweight Championship

On Thursday, November 5th in Washington DC, Javier “El Chino” Flores will step in the ring at the 25th Annual Fight for Children Night with the WBC United States National Welterweight Championship (“USNBC”) on the line. Flores, one of Roc Nation’s most promising prospects, has been in the game for some time but is now poised to take the next step towards a championship as he battles a tough Jaime Herrera (12-1-3 7 KOs) in a 10 round bout.


Flores of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico is currently in camp in Orlando, Florida and is training hard for his first title opportunity. Said Flores, “camp has been very good and we are working hard to bring home the victory to Puerto Rico.” The southpaw Flores is a come forward fan friendly fighter who describes himself as a power boxer that can box from the outside or rumble on the inside. His current record stands at an impressive 12-0 with 11 KOs. Having been sidelined previously with managerial issues, Flores is ready to increase his activity level and show that he is the best fighter in Roc Nation’s stable not named Miguel Cotto or Andre Ward. Flores feels the timing is right for him to break out and establish his own name. In Herrera, Flores is facing a battle- tested veteran who has victories over Patrick Boozer, Michael Finney and his biggest win to date when he stopped former world title challenger Mike Jones just 15 months ago. Said Flores of Herrera, “he’s a durable fighter, very strong. He likes to come forward and is not afraid to mix it up, which I like. We are preparing for a war and working hard to make sure that we come out victorious on November 5th.”

 Fores is managed by boxing attorney Rick Torres of Victory Sports & Entertainment and noted boxing advisor Gaby Penagaricano. Said Torres, “we feel Chino is ready to take the next step and that he will soon be ready to challenge the best of the Welterweight division. We’re very appreciative of the opportunity that Roc Nation has given us and are confident Chino will deliver a title on November 5th; we’re also honored to take part in such a prestigious charity event in Washington DC and know that Chino is going to steal the show.”

IBF WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION RANDY “EL MATADOR” CABALLERO TO MAKE HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST LEE HASKINS HEADLINING THE COTTO-CANELO PRELIMINARY UNDERCARD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 FROM THE MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER

 CABALLERO VS. HASKINS WILL BE AVAILABLE LIVE ON MULTIPLE DIGITAL OUTLETS

 

LOS ANGELES (October 29, 2015) – Making the first defense of his IBF Bantamweight World Title, Randy “El Matador” Caballero (22-0, 13 KOs) will headline the preliminary undercard preceding the HBO Pay-Per-View® telecast of the Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez event on Saturday, November 21 as he faces off against England’s Lee “Playboy” Haskins (32-3, 14 KOs) at The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.The 12-round world championship bout will be available to view digitally on HBO Boxing’s YouTube Page, TIDAL.com andGoldenBoyPromotions.com, along with other websites and outlets to be announced shortly. Additional undercard fights will be announced separately.

 

“I am excited to be fighting in one of the biggest cards of the year,” said Caballero. “I have been out of the ring for about a year and it has been hard watching all the great shows, but I am ready to come out strong and defend my title. I know Lee is a tough guy, there is a reason why he is my mandatory, but his style will make me shine on fight night. This training camp has been wonderful, my body feels different, and we have been training very hard to make sure I remain the champion. I feel there is more to accomplish, and this is my big opportunity to shine and stand out on Nov. 21.”

 

“Randy has the charisma, athleticism, fan-friendly fighting style and now a world title to make him one of the future top stars in the sport,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Fans watching Randy’s fight live at The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and at home on the preliminary undercard on Nov. 21 are in for a real treat when he makes his first title defense against Lee Haskins, who, like Randy, is one of the top fighters in the bantamweight division right now. This fight will be a clash between two warriors and a great precursor to the guaranteed action in the main event with Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez that night.”

 

“All my life I have dreamed about boxing in Las Vegas and now my dreams have come true,” said Haskins. “I have great respect for Randy Caballero, and I will be in the best shape of my life with all intentions of bringing the IBF World Bantamweight belt home. You best believe I am as fit as a butcher`s dog. I am counting the days for when I arrive in U.S.A. Let’s get it on!”

 

The fighting pride of the Coachella Valley in California, Randy “El Matador” Caballero is one of the sport’s most intriguing rising stars and as the IBF World Bantamweight Champion prepares for his Las Vegas debut, he is on the verge of taking his career to the next level in a big way. “El Matador” Caballero has gone from local hero to international standout over the course of a professional career that began in 2010, as his meteoric rise has seen him defeat the likes of Alexis “Beaver” Santiago, Jose Luis “Tapitas” Araiza, Manuel “Suavecito” Roman and Luis “Titi” Maldonado. In 2014, the 25-year-old took his show on the road as he traveled to Kobe, Japan to defeat Kohei Oba via eighth-round technical knockout. The victory earned the 24-year-old Caballero a shot at a world championship, and on October 25, 2014 he packed his bags once again, as he traveled to the Salle des ‘Etoiles in Monte Carlo to defeat England’s Stuart Hall for the vacant IBF World Bantamweight Championship.

 

British southpaw Lee “Playboy” Haskins has had a big 2015 campaign thus far. The Bristol native regained the EBU Bantamweight Title in February with a decision win over Omar Lamiri and then took the interim IBF Bantamweight crown in June by stopping Ryosuke Iwasa in six rounds. This November, the 31-year-old will attempt to unify the title with the highly touted Caballero and is determined to go back to England with the belt.

 

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). Also featured on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Muira vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  Randy Caballero vs. Lee Haskins is a 12-round fight for the IBF Bantamweight World Championship presented in association with Bristol Boxing Ltd. and will be featured as part of the preliminary undercards available on digital platforms starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket  Offices,http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

 

Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez will be presented live with Fathom Events in select theaters nationwide. Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visitingwww.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations visit www.fathomevents.com/event/cotto-vs-canelo-live.

 

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxing andwww.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

Boxing Hits the Big Screen as Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez is Presented Live in Select U.S. Cinemas This November

Classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico Battle Comes to Movie Theaters

Live from The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on November 21 Only

 

DENVER – October 26, 2015 – Boxing fans across the country will have a ringside seat for a highly-anticipated clash of two titans when Fathom Events, Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions present Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez, the battle between Puerto Rico’s most decorated fighter Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) and Mexican superstar Canelo (45-1-1, 32 KOs) live in select theaters nationwide on Saturday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 8:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT.

 

The highly-anticipated 12-round fight will be broadcast live to select theaters across the U.S., from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Miguel Cotto, reigning WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion, will go head-to-head with Canelo Alvarez, former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion, in what is shaping up to be 2015’s most exciting fight and the biggest battle in the history of the famed Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.

 

Tickets for theater screenings of Cotto vs. Canelo can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

 

“As I have always said, during my whole career, I am here to fight the best names and the best fighters,” said Miguel Cotto. “This will be another chapter in my career and I will be ready for him. Fans will enjoy a real fight, another classic battle in the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry.”

 

“There’s a great history between Mexico and Puerto Rico and this is going to be a historic fight, another one for the storybooks,” said Canelo Alvarez.  “I have a lot of pride to be fighting for my country. It’s going to be a great night.”

 

Miguel Cotto (40-4, 33 KOs) is the first native of Puerto Rico to become a world champion in four different weight classes and is hailed as a national hero and the successor of Felix “Tito” Trinidad as the island’s most notable boxer. During his extraordinary career, Cotto represented Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and is the former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, the former WBA Welterweight World Champion, the former WBO Welterweight World Champion and former WBA Super Welterweight World Champion. Cotto now looks to further his illustrious resume with a win over Canelo.

 

Returning to the ring hungrier than ever with his high-energy fighting style and charisma, 25-year-old Mexican boxing superstar and pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Canelo Alvarez (45-1-1, 32 KOs) is on a mission to position himself as the most popular boxer of his generation. With a win against Cotto, the former WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo could break into the top pound-for-pound list.

 

Roc Nation President and Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael Yormark said, “Roc Nation and Golden Boy share a passion for creating the biggest fights in history. We want to give boxing fans what they deserve: a show of epic proportions.”

 

“Tickets for boxing’s most exciting event of the year, Cotto vs. Canelo, went quickly because this is a fight that guarantees drama and action from start to finish,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “That is what makes this match up ‘The Fight for the Fans,’ and we want to be able to give fans that can’t make it to Las Vegas an exciting way to watch the fight and feel like they are in the arena to see the action up close and in person.”

 

Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said, “Over the past several years, boxing fans have filled movie theaters across the country to see the world’s biggest boxing superstars square off in the ring. With Cotto vs. Canelo being so full of rich history and rivalry, what better place for those fans to witness this historic bout than up on the big screen!”

 

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TAKASHI MIURA TO FACE FRANCISCO VARGAS IN WBC SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT AS PART OF THE STELLAR UNDERCARD FOR MIGUEL COTTO VS. CANELO ALVAREZ ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

 

 

JAYSON VELEZ VS. RONNY RIOS ALSO TO BE FEATURED ON THE TELEVISED CARD

 

FROM THE MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER IN LAS VEGAS

LIVE ON HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®

 

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 20, 2015) – Already destined to be one of the best fight nights of 2015, a stellar televised undercard for the Saturday, Nov. 21 showdown between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez will provide even more punch to an already highly anticipated event from The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas which will be produced and distributed live byHBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

 

Highly touted Takashi Miura (29-2-2, 22 KOs) of Tokyo, Japan will defend his WBC Super Featherweight title for the fifth time against Mexico City, Mexico’s unbeaten Francisco Vargas (22-0-1, 16 KOs) in a 12-round battle which is presented in association with Teiken Promotions. Hailing from the same city as headliner Miguel Cotto, and co-promoted by the Puerto Rican legend’s Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, undefeated, multiple-regional title champion Jayson Velez (23-0-1, 16 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will face Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios (24-1, 10 KOs) in a highly anticipated 10-round featherweight bout.  An additional televised bout will be announced shortly.

 

“Bringing sports fans an event featuring what is likely to be the 2015 Fight of the Year in Cotto vs. Canelo is great, but adding a highly entertaining undercard makes it greater,” said David Itskowitch, COO Boxing of Roc Nation Sports. “The announcement of these two televised undercard fights brings additional excitement and value for fans watching the event live in Las Vegas or at home on HBO Pay-Per-View.”

 

“On November 21, the best fighters in boxing will gather for one epic night in Las Vegas,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Audiences will not only see the two biggest stars battle, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez, but every fighter featured on the card brings the highest caliber of talent propelling the sport further into a new golden age of boxing.”

 

“I believe Velez vs. Rios is a great match for both fighters,” said Hector Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “The winner will be a step away from a title shot and it adds more drama to the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry. In Ronny Rios we have a tough fighter and Jayson Velez is a warrior that brings action into the ring.”

 

“Francisco Vargas has proved himself to be a tough competitor,” said Miura. “But, I have repeatedly fought to keep my WBC title and on November 21, I will show American fans once again why I am a champion.”

 

“To add the WBC title to my NABF and WBO Intercontinental titles would be the ultimate victory and a great ending to 2015,” said Vargas. “I am training hard and ready to bring a fight to the ring at Mandalay Bay. Takashi Miura better be ready because I am coming for him onNovember 21.”

 

“I have been working to make a name for myself and show fans that I am a true undefeated champion,” said Velez. “This fight against Ronny Rios represents an important next step in my career and I am hungry for the win. To fight on the same card as Miguel Cotto and to represent Puerto Rico in Las Vegas in what is sure to be one of this year’s biggest nights in boxing is surreal.”

 

“I was dealt the first loss of my career not long ago, but that has only made me more focused and driven,” said Rios. “I have already sought redemption and am now ready to continue on my path to a world title. Jayson Velez may prove to be a tough opponent, but I will be ready for him. Come November 21, Velez will know what a first career loss will feel like.”

 

Southpaw power-puncher Takashi Miura is a force at super featherweight who is excited to make his United States debut on the Cotto vs. Canelo undercard. Unbeaten since 2011, the 31-year-old from Tokyo has scored several notable wins in that timeframe, stopping Gamaliel Diaz to take the WBC title, turning back Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson and defeating former world champion Billy “The Kid” Dib in defense of his belt. On November 21, he will expect a similar result when he faces Vargas.

 

A member of the 2008 Mexican Olympic team, Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas turned professional in 2010 and is now one win away from a coveted world championship. The NABF and WBO Intercontinental champion at 130 pounds, the 30-year-old Mexico City native has blasted through his last three opponents, halting former World Champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, Genaro “Duro” Camargo and “Wild” Will Tomlinson to earn his shot at Miura in a fight boxing fans can’t wait to see.

 

Hailing from the same city in Puerto Rico as headliner Miguel Cotto, 27-year-old Caguas native Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez has compiled a collection of titles in his professional career, including the WBC USNBC, WBO Latino and WBC Silver belts. He nearly took his first world title in November 2014 before a controversial draw verdict was rendered in his IBF Featherweight World Championship fight with Evgeny Gradovich. Determined to get another world title shot, Velez needs a win against Rios to get there.

 

Santa Ana, California’s Ronny Rios was sailing to the top of the division before an upset loss to the number one contender for the WBC Featherweight title Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos in October of 2014, but with a comeback win over Sergio “El Frio” Frias and the determination and heart of a champion, the talented 25-year-old has his sights set on glory once more.  With a victory over Velez, he will be back on the road to a world title fight once more.

 

Tickets for closed circuit viewings of Cotto vs. Canelo are priced at $75, not including applicable service charges, and can be purchased at all MGM Resorts International Ticket Offices, http://www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling (800) 745-3000.

 

Cotto vs. Canelo, a 12-round fight for Cotto’s WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Championships, takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The fight is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra; Mexico, Live it to Believe it!; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Tequila Cazadores and Corporate Travel Made Simple (ctms). The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Also featured on the pay-per-view telecast will be Takashi Muira vs. Francisco Vargas in a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship presented in association with Teiken Promotions and Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios is a 10-round featherweight. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.

 

For more information, visit www.rocnation.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.canelopromotions.com.mxwww.hbo.com/boxingand www.mandalaybay.com; follow on Twitter at @RocNation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @RealMiguelCotto, @Canelo, @HBOBoxing, and @MandalayBay; become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,www.facebook.com/RealMiguelACotto, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez,www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MandalayBay; and follow on Instagram @rocnation, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @realmiguelacotto, @Canelo, @HBOboxing and @MandalayBay. Follow the conversation using #CottoCanelo.