Daniel Geale

WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto steps in against Australia’s former world champion Daniel Geale on Saturday in New York – and during media sessions has spoken to fighthype.com to suggest he is not bothered by the potential size and reach advantages Geale – a proper 160lb fighter – will possess come the night.

The fight is being held at a catchweight of 157lb and much has been made of rehydration, particularly by promoter Gary Shaw, who has suggested Geale could weigh as much as 175lb – light heavyweight – when he steps between the ropes to face the far smaller Puerto Rican.

Cotto said;

Los Angeles (May 28, 2015) – Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s), the reigning WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes, will defend his titles against former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO’s) of Australia on June 6, 2015 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a 12-round fight that will be televised live on HBO. Cotto hosted a Los Angeles media workout Tuesday afternoon at Wild Card Boxing Club in preparation for his title defense against Geale.

Here’s what Cotto and his trainer, Freddie Roach, had to say:

Miguel Cotto – WBC & Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion

Ahead of his fighter’s June 6th defence of the WBC 160lb belt he won last year against an injured Sergio Martinez – Freddie Roach has spoken to fighthype.com regarding the outcome of the catchweight contest between Miguel Cotto & Daniel Geale – predicting that despite the significant height, reach and rehydration weight advantages the Aussie is going to have – his man can stop the former 3x world champion in the 8th or 9th rounds.

There has been fierce media criticism of Cotto for seemingly refusing to fight mandatory challenger – Kazakh wrecking machine Gennady Golovkin – yet Roach claims it was he who picked Geale as the opponent for Cotto and thus, surely accepts part of the responsibility?

He said;

If I was WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32ko), I might be a slightly worried man right now.

The four weight world champ makes the first defence of the title he won against a crocked Sergio Martinez on June 6th, when he steps in with the extremely capable former 3x world 160lb champ – Australia’s Daniel Geale (31-3, 16ko).

And that isn’t the only problem for Cotto, who has yet to genuinely box at 160lb and is making his first appearance in exactly a year at another catchweight – this time 157 lbs.

Already a marquee event featuring Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s) defending his WBC Middleweight and Ring Magazine World Champion titles against former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO’s) in a 12-round main event, the June 6 showdown will now include a live musical performance by Roc Nation and Grammy-nominated artist Big Sean before the main event.

Roc Nation will bring other major names to the boxing experience at Barclays Center including notable event emcee and “The Voice of New York” Angie Martinez, who will serve as the event’s host, alongside hit master DJ Lobo from WSKQ La Mega 97.9 FM New York City, the #1 Spanish radio station in the United States. Martinez and Lobo will entertain together throughout the night to keep the energy up between bouts.

Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions are pleased to announce the next highly anticipated battle for Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO’s), the reigning WBC Middleweight and Ring Magazine World Champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes. On June 6, 2015, Cotto will defend his titles against former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16 KO’s) of Australia in a fight that will be televised live on HBO from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Tickets are priced at $500, $350, $250, $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and go on sale Wednesday, April 22 at 10:00 AM ET. Tickets will be available at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Thursday, April 23 at 12:00 PM ET. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.