Two superstars, two world title fights, two cities – all on the same night. That’s what Bob Arum of Top Rank will discuss when Miguel Cotto and Kelly Pavlik will be at Madison Square Garden for a press conference on Tuesday. Cotto will take on Michael Jennings of Chorley, England, for the vacant WBO Welterweight Championship at Madison Square Garden. Pavlik will defend his WBC Middleweight world title against #1-rated challenger Marco Antonio Rubio of Mexico at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 21. Arum said today that three PPV bouts including Cotto vs. Jennings will be on the live telecast from Madison Square Garden, then the live telecast goes to Youngstown for the Pavlik vs Rubio title fight.
Michael Buffer will be the ring announcer in New York, Jimmy Lennon will be the ring announcer in Youngstown.
The Cotto vs Jennings fight will also be beamed live onto large screens at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown. After Cotto fights at Madison Square Garden, giant screens will drop and the Pavlik vs. Rubio fight will be shown in the arena.
“We are so excited to present this event,” said Arum. “There are logistical challenges when you go live in two cities but our team is dealing with it. I know for certain fight fans in New York and Youngstown, Ohio are tremendously excited about seeing Cotto and Pavlik at Madison Square Garden and at the Chevrolet Centre.”
On Tuesday, all four of the top fighters will be at Madison Square Garden. Cotto is coming in from Caguas, Puerto Rico where he has been training. Jennings will come in from Chorley, England. Pavlik, from Youngstown, and Rubio is coming in from Mexico.
Tickets for Pavlik vs. Rubio go on sale Saturday, 10 am at the 7,000-seat Chevrolet Center in Youngstown. Tickets range from $50 to $500 and a quick sellout is expected. This will be the biggest event in the history of the Chevrolet Centre. Tickets for Cotto vs. Jennings go on sale at Madison Square Garden go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 13, noontime. Ticket prices at Madison Square Garden are $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50.