HBO World Championship Boxing coming from “The Happiest Place on Earth” Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto vs. Two-Time World Title Challenger Delvin Rodriguez
By: Lita B. Kaufman, RCM Ringside Reporter
Orlando, FL (October4th, 2013) -– Where dreams come true? The happiest place on earth? Home of the Orlando Magic! I hope this night of boxing will prove to be a magical one. Orlando, FL, home to Disney World, Universal Studios and a myriad of other attractions finds itself in the center of the world as HBO, Miguel Cotto Promotions and Top Rank®, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Tecate presents Cotto v. Rodriguez at The Amway Center. It will be magical night for one of these warriors and possible retirement for the other.
On Saturday, October 5th, 2013 – The Pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto will face Two-Time world title challenger and current Top-Five contender Delvin Rodriguez in a 12-round super welterweight bout at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL which is hosting its first professional boxing event.
Cotto (37(30Kos)-4-0), is coming off of hiatus after his 2 fight losing streak to Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout in 2012. He has opted for Freddie Roach to be in his corner as opposed to Pedro Diaz who had trained him for the last few bouts. Perhaps Roach has conditioned Cotto back to champion status. Some of the more impressive wins in Cotto’s career have been against Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi. A victory for Cotto on Saturday may align him for a very high-profile fight with Canelo Alvarez. A loss, possible retirement.
Rodriguez (28(16Kos)-6-3), a native of the Dominican Republic, now fights out of Danbury, Conn. Rodriguez has been labeled a journeyman for most of his impressive career although I believe a win against Cotto will break the glass ceiling and he will be revered as a true champion. Both warriors are in the same age bracket although Rodriguez is 3.5 inches taller with a 3.5 inch reach advantage. This may allow for toe to toe action without sacrificing his chin to an upper cut. Rodriguez has been televised almost a dozen times before on ESPN Friday Night Fights however this is the first HBO televised bout for him. He most recently held the IBA Intercontinental Light Middleweight Title in 2011 and USBA Welterweight Title in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009.
There are 2 undercard fights scheduled for HBO at The Amway Center and if you follow me, I’ll be ringside and report the pre-televised shows.
The reported undercard on HBO will show the 10 Round Lightweight bout featuring Terence Crawford (21(16)-0-0) from Omaha, Nebraska vs. Andrey Klimov of Russia (16(8)-0-0. This is the 3rd fight of 2013 for Crawford so he should be sharp Saturday night and put on an impressive performance to win the IBF Intercontinental Lightweight Title from the less seasoned Klimov.
Also on the card is a 6 Round Super featherweight bout between 20 years old Puerto Rican Olympian Felix Verdejo (7(5)-0-0) hailing from San Juan vs. Gary Eyer (11(7)-3-1) of Duluth, MN. who is 27. The Olympian has quite an impressive record since going pro in 2012 however as we saw in Mayweather vs. Canelo, the younger man does not always have the experience to deliver a stellar performance against a veteran.
Additional fight week action includes:
Cotto v. Rodriguez final press conference, Disney Atrium – Open to the Public
Thursday, October 3 at 12:30pm – Doors open at Noon
Cotto v. Rodriguez final weigh-in, Disney Atrium – Open to the Public
Friday, October 4 at 3pm – Doors open at 2pm
The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.Ticket prices range from US $25.00 – US $150.00 not including fees and taxes. Tickets can be purchased at amwaycenter.com, Chase® Box Office at Amway Center, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com. All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
For fight updates go to www.toprank.com and www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing and facebook.com/trboxeo, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/warcotto, twitter.com/realcombatmedia or twitter.com/lita_b_kaufman.
Real Combat Media will be attending the event ringside.
Follow Lita on Twitter:@lita_b_kaufman
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