BoxNation Summer Lineup Features Cotto vs. Geale, Walters vs. Marriaga

BoxNation will air the return of Puerto Rican legend and reigning WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto live and exclusive on June 6 as he steps in against former two-time world champion Daniel Geale.

The 34-year-old superstar Cotto will return to New York, where he has enjoyed much success, as he fights for the first time at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn having fought 11 times previously in ‘The Big Apple’.

Against the skilled Geale, however, the Freddie Roach trained Cotto will have to be at his best if he hopes to continue the impressive revival that has been witnessed under the Hall of Fame trainer.

Cotto is regarded as one of boxing’s elite stars and is ready to impress once again, live on BoxNation.

“I am happy and excited to be back in New York and fighting at Barclays Center,” said Cotto. “This is another chapter in my career and I’m committed to train as hard as always and bring a big victory. I’m looking forward to seeing all the Puerto Rican fans on June 6 and to being part of another exciting boxing night in Brooklyn.”

Australian Geale is back in New York following his third round loss to Kazakh assassin Gennady Golovkin but is confident he can reign as champion once again.

“Thanks to Miguel Cotto for the opportunity to become a world champion once again,” said Geale. “I have total respect for Miguel and his achievements, but I can win this fight and that is exactly what I intend to do come June 6 in Brooklyn at Barclays Center.”

Further great news for BoxNation subscribers is that the channel will be bringing two further thrilling cards in June starting with Nicholas Walters versus Miguel Marriaga on June 13 and welterweight ace Tim Bradley facing the crafty Jessie Vargas on June 27.

Known as ‘The Axe Man’, Walters burst onto the scene late last year when the undefeated Jamaican, who has a record of 25 wins with 21 knockouts, stopped 2012 ‘Fighter of the Year’ Nonito Donaire inside six rounds.

The WBA featherweight champion is ready to get revenge on the unbeaten Marriaga at the fabled Madison Square Garden, with the Colombian holding a win over him in the amateurs having defeated him during the Olympic trials.

“Headlining at Madison Square Garden is every fighter’s dream. I have unfinished business with Miguel Marriaga,” said Walters. “He kept me out of the 2008 Olympics when he beat me in the Americas Olympic Qualifier and I am ready to pay him back. I am going to chop him with the axe.”

“I am happy to be fighting at the legendary Madison Square Garden,” said Marriaga. “I was born to be world champion and come June 13 I will be victorious.”

The card will also feature the golden Puerto Rican lightweight talent Felix Verdejo who takes on an unbeaten prospect like himself in Ivan Najera.

“I know that the fight against Ivan Najera will not be easy,” said Verdejo. “I will prepare myself to the maximum and sacrifice everything in the gym so that on fight night I will be at my best. I am very thankful to Top Rank for giving me these types of opportunities.”

This exciting bill is quickly followed by Bradley’s 12-round matchup with the undefeated Vargas at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, where the victor will be looking to cement themselves as one of the very best in the stacked 147-pound division.

Jim McMunn, Managing Director of BoxNation, said: “After enjoying some amazing nights of boxing in recent weeks live on BoxNation we are delighted to fill our summer schedule with further great matchups. Miguel Cotto is one of boxing’s true superstars so we are very pleased to feature him on the channel once again.

“The further two cards on June 13 with Nicholas Walters against Miguel Marriaga, and Tim Bradley taking on Jessie Vargas on June 27, ensures that BoxNation continues to deliver the very best fights for boxing fans at a truly exceptional price of just £12 a month.”

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 546, TalkTalk525) for just £12 a month please visit boxnation.com.