Cotto vs. Martinez is Official!
Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank
Three-time world champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico and WBC World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez from Argentina faced-off during a press conference to kick-off their national media tour. Cotto and Martínez announced their eagerly-anticipated World Middleweight Championship collision which will take place on Saturday, June 7, at the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. Both fighters will continue their media tour to New York on Tuesday and conclude in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions, Top Rank®, DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing, in association with Maravilla Box, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, the Cotto – Martínez World Middleweight Championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets to the Cotto vs. Martinez world middleweight championship event go on sale Wednesday, March 12, at Noon ET / 9:00 A.M. PT. Priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.
“I am very happy to be back in my second home, Madison Square Garden in New York, to once again make history in front of my fans,” said Cotto. “I will be ready and prepared to do whatever it takes to bring the WBC middleweight championship of the world to my country of Puerto Rico”
“It has been my dream to fight in the big room at Madison Square Garden, a place where many great fighters have showcased their talents,” said Martínez. “It is the biggest stage in the world and the world will be watching this fight.”
“Miguel Cotto and Sergio Martínez have electrified sports fans during their entire careers,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “On June 7, their passionate fans and the nations they represent will finally witness this highly anticipated showdown.
“Miguel Cotto Promotions will once again join forces with Top Rank to bring a stellar pay-per-view event to New York on June 7th,” said Héctor Soto, vice president of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “We are matching very good fights for the fans. No one should miss the most-anticipated show of the year, either in-person or live on pay-per-view.”
“On June 7th The Garden will be explosive and the boxing world will pay full attention,” said Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment. “Styles make fights, and both Sergio and Cotto will be looking for knockouts. This battle will rock The Garden.”
“I am very proud to be part of this historic fight, which will, by far, be the top pay-per-view of the year,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, Martínez’s advisor.