Boxing News: Big Apple Welcomes Miguel Cotto

NEW YORK (June 3, 2005) –Undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion MIGUEL COTTO’s Madison Square Garden debut on June 11 is one fit for a king. New York is already buzzing about Cotto’s appearance, with his face being seen on posters and flyers plastering city walls, and his upcoming title defense being advertised in print ads the region’s main dailies. His voice and image are being projected across New York’s airwaves on both the top mainstream and Latino stations. But as he completes his training in Puerto Rico and arrives in New York tonight, he is looking for more than fame, or the support of fight fans and New Yorkers—Cotto is looking for payback as he defends his world title against the last man to defeat him – 2000 Olympic gold medalist MUHAMMAD ABDULLAEV.

“This isn't just about defending my title. It's about revenge,” said Cotto. “I'm going to remind him who really won our fight at the 2000 Olympics.”

Not only is this Cotto’s Madison Square Garden debut, it also marks the first time in its nine-year history that HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” has ever televised a card from The Garden’s main arena, a true testament to Cotto’s popularity and drawing power. The HBO live broadcast will begin at 10 P.M. ET / 10 P.M. PT (delayed on the West Coast.)

Cotto’s New York Adventure — the seven-day countdown to his world title defense against Abdullaev — begins today with the champ receiving VIP treatment from many media sources.

* Saturday, June 4 at 3:00pm, Cotto will take center stage as he hosts a public workout amidst all the Puerto Rican festivities at the 152nd Street Festival in the Bronx (between Jackson & Tinton Aves), an event that will be attended by more than 10,000. He will be attending several interviews with New York’s top Latino stations throughout the day.

* June 9, he will join boxing legend Roberto Duran, making a celebratory statement to the thousands in attendance at the “12th Annual Tropical Night,” kicking off the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Weekend.

The Cotto vs. Abdullaev world title fight has become an extremely hot ticket due partly to the excitement generated by Cotto, and to the marketing and promoting of the event by the area’s top media outlets, including:

Three of the hottest Latino Radio Stations—Latino Mix, WADO,  HOT 97—will have broadcasted over 300 sixty second spots.

New York Daily News, Hoy and El Diario newspapers will have featured over 16 full-page ads.

Cablevision and Time Warner will each have broadcasted over 200 thirty second spots.

Print ads (4” x 6”) will have appeared in both Met Markets and Pioneer

Subway posters (4” x 5”) will have appeared throughout New York City for over a month by June 11.

Over 100,000 (4” x 6”) flyers have been distributed over the last month.

Over 5,000 posters (18” x 24”) have been put up around New York City over the last month.

Univision and Telemundo have also been covering and promoting Cotto’s MSG debut.

Presented by Top Rank, this dynamic card will also feature a 12-round rumble between undefeated lightweight sensation Almazbek Raiymkulov, who fights under the ring name “Kid Diamond,” and former world champion Joel Casamayor in a WBA-sanctioned lightweight title elimination bout.

Remaining tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100, $50, $25 are available at the Garden Box Office and at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-7171, 201-507-8900, 631-888-9000 or 914-454-3388. Additional ticket information can be found at www.thegarden.com.