Boxing News: Miguel Cotto Fights Ricardo Torres in AC

ATLANTIC CITY (September 7, 2005) – Superstar Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico will make a defense of his world title when he faces the #1 rated challenger, undefeated Ricardo Torres of Colombia, on the “Boardwalk Brawls” championship event at the Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, Sept. 24

Cotto, from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has a record of 24-0 with 20 knockouts. Torres is 28-0 with 26 knockouts. Cotto, 24, is the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion.

“Miguel Cotto again is showing the world the great champion that he is,” said Bob Arum of Top Rank. “Cotto is willing to take on all top challengers and Torres is a very rugged, hard-hitting fighter who has never tasted defeat.”

This will be the fourth world title defense for Cotto, a 2000 Olympian from Puerto Rico and the 2004 Puerto Rico “Fighter of the Year.”

“Cotto is the consummate professional,” Arum said. “We are convinced Miguel can fight anyone in the world at his weight.”

“Boardwalk Brawls” is promoted by Caesars Atlantic City in association with Duva Boxing, K2 Promotions and Top Rank. Heavyweights Wladimir Klitschko and the undefeated “Nigerian Nightmare” Samuel Peter will box in a 12-round elimination bout. HBO will televise.

Cotto was initially scheduled to fight Gianluca Branco, who was injured during training.

“This is exciting news for fight fans,” says promoter Dino Duva, president of Duva Boxing. “Branco was going to be a tough opponent, but Torres is a knockout artist and the mandatory number one contender, so this takes the fight to another level. Fight fans should be very excited that the card has now gotten even better.”

“Now both of the main fights have the same style matchup,” added Duva. “Cotto vs. Torres is going to be a perfect complement to Peter vs. Klitschko. It will be power vs. power in both fights and fans in Atlantic City and around the world will be the big winners.”

Tickets for the Sept. 24 “Boardwalk Brawls” at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. are available at Ticketmaster. Tickets are priced from $50 to $400.