June 10: Xander Zayas to Fight for Second Annual Miguel Cotto Award in Co-Feature to Josh Taylor-Teofimo Lopez at The Theater at MSG
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 May 2023
Taylor-Lopez and Zayas-Ronald Cruz will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Tickets are ON SALE NOW at Ticketmaster.com
NEW YORK (May 23, 2023) —Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) will have an extra source of motivation for his upcoming fight.
The 20-year-old standout will fight Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-2-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday, June 10 for the second annual Miguel Cotto Award, which is presented by Top Rank and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. The Miguel Cotto Award celebrates the remarkable career of the legendary four-division world champion and upholds the tradition of hosting a major fight card during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. Cotto, who achieved notable wins against Muhammad Abdullaev, Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Sergio Martinez and Daniel Geale during this festive weekend, will present the award at The Theater at Madison Square Garden following the June 10 bout.
Zayas-Cruz will be the co-feature to the junior welterweight showdown between WBO and Ring Magazine world champion Josh Taylor and former unified and lineal lightweight king Teofimo Lopez.
Taylor-Lopez and Zayas-Cruz will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Cotto said, “For me, it’s a great honor and a great pleasure that Madison Square Garden and Top Rank have an award with my name to continue the tradition of fight cards during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. This award will motivate future generations to deliver their best in each fight.”
“Miguel Cotto has made an immeasurable mark on boxing at ‘The Mecca’ - Madison Square Garden,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, Marquee Events and Operations, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to celebrate Cotto’s warrior legacy during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend with the presentation of the second annual award to the winner of the Xander Zayas v. Ronald Cruz fight on Saturday, June 10.”
Zayas said, “I’ve always said that in the world of boxing, Miguel Cotto is my favorite fighter. He is the reason I decided to become a fighter. It’s a total honor and a dream come true to have the opportunity to fight for an award that has his name. This confirms for me that we are on the right path, and it motivates me to keep working hard to continue accomplishing my dreams. I want to unite my Island and all of the Puerto Ricans in the United States in the same way that Miguel did. That is my biggest dream, and I will achieve it.”
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025Six is ‘Thrilla’s’ magic numbe
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025CARLOS LLINAS PRESENTS TWO BOXING SHOWS IN JUST EIGHT DAYS AT SOUND BOARD IN MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL STARTING FRINDAY OCT 24
Fri, 24 Oct 2025Boxing Insider Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City with Local Talent and Regional Prospects on November 7
Fri, 24 Oct 2025Lhuillier, Santos Capture Men’s A1 Title in UTP Level-Based Tennis Challenge at Hillsborough
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES FULL FIGHT CARD FOR THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
Fri, 24 Oct 2025Mike Tyson visits Kinshasa, Congo to remember "Rumble in the Jungle"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Former World Champ Javier Fortuna Takes on Rashidi Ellis Nov 1
Fri, 24 Oct 2025When to stop a fight
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 23 Oct 2025AJ MANAS STUNS WORLD CHAMPION AS HOME HEROES DOMINATE LAST 16
Thu, 23 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Spurs Dominate Mavs 125-92 Behind Wembanyama’s 40 in Season Opener
By Reylan Loberternos, Thu, 23 Oct 2025