The fights that night will be the first bouts fought in a Yankee Stadium ring since September 28, 1976 when Muhammed Ali won a 15 round decision over Ken Norton. Forty-five boxing shows were held at the venue during its first 36 years of existence, but the June 5^th show will only be the second in more than a half-century (June 26, 1959).  The names of boxing legends that fought at the Bronx venue include Joe Louis, 11 times, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jack Dempsey.

Miguel Cotto, the challenger on June5, held a Spanish language press conference on Wednesday, May 19, to help promote the event. Cotto expressed his pride when asked to describe his feelings of boxing in this historic site, “It’s a legendary place. It’s very emotional for me. If we give a good performance our names will be connected to the greats of the past.”

Without denigrating his upcoming opponent, Cotto expressed confidence that his preparation will be sufficient to ensure him a victory in the bout, “I’m prepared for this fight. I have great plans. I’ve worked for the past 7-8 weeks. We will try to implement what we have learned [of Yuri Foreman].” When asked if fighting at 154 pounds will be more difficult than his previous championships, 140 and 147 pound weights, Cotto responded, “I feel very well. I don’t think it’ll be a big difference.”

Cotto has headlined shows at Madison Square Garden in mid-June during four of the past five years as part of the festive events held during the week preceding the National Puerto Rican Parade on Fifth Avenue. Cotto, a native of Caguas asked if he formulated this tradition. He said the idea was that of his promoters, Top Rank.

Cotto was asked if his new trainer, Emanuel Steward, will make a difference in the bout. The former champ said of the legendary and experienced trainer of many champions, “Who wouldn’t be happy to have him in his corner?” Steward explained to reporters his methods of training his new fighter, “We use a lot of music and dancing to improve his balance. It’s been fun. He’s like a new boxer.”

The two boxers are both 29 years old, but Cotto has much more experience, especially competing against highly rated boxers. Although the two never faced one another, Foreman fought on the undercard of three shows headlined by Cotto.

As the New York Yankees are part of the promotion, Jason Zillo, the director of media relations for the team was asked to comment on the fight being held at the new home of the Yankees. He stated, “This is a facility that should not be dormant when the Yankees are on the road or during the winter and early spring months. This stadium can transcend the sport of baseball. There are endless opportunities here and I know our ownership will pursue them.”

NEW YORK – There was Miguel Cotto the WBO welterweight champion at Madison Square Garden Tuesday afternoon but there was something noticeably different. Cotto was very quiet and not saying much about his headlining a boxing card at the Garden for the fourth time in five years on the eve of New York’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

He is scheduled to defend his title and unify the championship against IBF champion Joshua Clottey at the Garden Saturday evening June 13 televised on HBO. The one who was talking more was Clottey who is finally getting his opportunity and a long awaited championship bout at the Garden.

And Clottey, (35-2, 21KO’s) a native of Accra Ghana now residing in the Bronx, New York, may have an advantage. Cotto is in the mist of controversy, without a trainer after throwing punches last week at his uncle Evangelista at a gym in Puerto Rico.

Was Cotto bringing his fight outside the ring?

Sources said it was an ugly incident that resulted in police being called and possible assault charges being filed by Evangelista, Cotto’s longtime manager and trainer. Cotto on Monday was in Puerto Rico, and before leaving for New York said that the incident would not lead to assault charges against him and the incident was history.

An incident that could have ramifications because Cotto is without a trainer and though he refused to comment, a source from his promotion at Top Rank said, “His association with Evangelista is over.” Cotto quickly departed to Tampa Florida for an intense training camp in preparation for Clottey.

This wasn’t the same and cooperative Cotto that the media has become accustomed to know. He loves fighting at the Garden, kept his commitment to meet the media on Tuesday and had little to offer about the incident. “It’s over,’ he said, “and all I want to do is focus on this fight.”

The slugfest with Cotto and his uncle last week was over a dispute that has been going on for the past few years.  A difference of training philosophy and Cotto wanting Evangelista to train him down in Tampa, however, Evangelista, with commitments to train other fighters in Puerto Rico would not budge.

“It was ugly and Miguel has become very hard to deal with,” said the source who, is around the fighter constantly. “There are problems,” he said, adding that Cotto, who turned down six other possible replacements for Evangelista, “Is going into a significant fight without a trainer.”

But many times, another former champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. went without a trainer for significant fights. So with the Cotto work ethic, and with his disposition as it is, not having someone by his side could work for or against him.

It is an important fight against Clottey for many reasons. Cotto has never lost a fight at the Garden since his debut there in 2005 and has sold more tickets than any other fighter at the Mecca of Boxing this millennium. Added to the drama is Mayweather, unofficially out of retirement and training again. And a big money fight with another Top Rank fighter, champion Manny Pacquaio could be next.

And there has been increasing talk that Cotto, signed through 2010 with Top Rank, is looking to get out of his contract. The source said Cotto was not happy that he lost the WBA title to the Mexican Antonio Margarito last year who is also another Top Rank fighter.

That fight, controversial, revealed afterwards that Margarito fought with tainted hand wraps. Margarito is now on suspension for a year as ordered by the California State Athletic Commission and the suspension is in the appeal process that was filed by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

Cotto wanted to fight Margaritio again, instead of Clottey at the Garden, which also put him in more disfavor with his promoters. All Cotto would say, “I am training hard, will continue to train hard and go back to Puerto Rico with the title.”

Clottey is hoping to spoil all of those plans and is destined to take on Mayweather or Pacquiao and isn’t concerned that Cotto may have distractions. He has been looking for this fight and taking on some of the other elite fighters in the division. The contract with Cotto was signed Tuesday morning leading to more speculation that Cotto may have wanted to change direction as to fighting at the Garden again in June.

Without a trainer Cotto hopes to show Victory posture against Clottey.

Last June Cotto missed his annual New York Garden engagement due to his fight schedule. The three fight-a-year schedule, which has been a Cotto trademark since gaining championship status, did not fit in with a fight in April and obviously June left minimal time for preparation.

“Guys don’t want to fight me and I thank Miguel for giving me the chance,” said Clottey. “I will run after him and when he comes to me I will give it to him. Cotto (33-1, 27KO’s) is a three-time champion in two different divisions and Clottey had his biggest career victory, a 10-round technical decision over former three-time world champion Zab Judah on August 2.

In addition Clottey, an aggressive puncher with power is on a two-year five-bout winning streak. He also has wins over the late Diego Corrales the two division champion, undefeated contender Shamone Alvarez and two-time world title challenger Felix Flores.

As for fighting Cotto at the Garden, where there will no doubt be overwhelming support from the Puerto Rican crowd. Clottey said that is not an issue. He has fought in front of hostile crowds in the past and the ultimate goal was to be in the ring at the Garden.

“I fought Corrales in Missouri in front of his fans and it didn’t bother me,” said Clottey. The question now is, will Cotto be able to settle his issues and be focused when he gets in the ring with Clottey? That remains to be determined in what certainly will be an interesting night at the Garden.

DE LA HOYA HANGS UP THE GLOVES: A true boxing legend and future Hall of Famer, Oscar De La Hoya, officially told the public that it is over. Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in Los Angeles, “The Golden Boy: with his wife, father, family and friends present fought back tears and told the story.

“Boxing has been the single most consistent part of my life and although I miss the ring I know that is a time for me to step away from the sport competitively and become more active in the other aspects of it that are already in place and ready for me to pursue,” he said.

De La Hoya, retired from the ring with a 39-6, 30 KO record and will not doubt be remembered for his great fights with Felix Trinidad and Mayweather. There were also the classic and gracious remarks after every fight and his willingness to never offer excuses, even after a controversial loss to Trinidad.

Most of all, De La Hoya was always thankful to the fans who came out to support him at arenas and who watched on pay-per-view. He along with Mayweather hold the highest rated grossing pay-per-view records in boxing. “Most importantly I deeply appreciate all of my fans who showered me with their cheers and support,” he said.

De La Hoya won’t disappear. He is a main promoter with “Golden Boy Promotions” which has quickly become one of the top reputed organizations in the boxing industry. The 10-time world champion was pounded in his last fight back in December and calls for his retirement came after losing by TKO to Manny Pacquaio.

But something says, De La Hoya, who won his championships in every division from 130 to 160, will step in the ring again. Mayweather coming back and a return bout with De La Hoya could set a new pay-per-view record.

Because as we all know, more than one champion has called it quits in the past and soon returned to the ring.

E-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com