PHILADELPHIA, PA - World ranked challenger “King” Gabriel Rosado was incredulous when he discovered that his world championship bout against WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin set for JANUARY 19 at Madison Square Garden in New York City would be fought at a catch weight of 158.

“The first I heard about the catch weight was at the media lunch on December 1, I never asked for it, that was my advisor Russell Peltz’s idea” said Rosado. “I’m happy Russell is looking out for my best interests but we’re fighting at 160.”

“Golovkin is the champion and out of respect to him and towards the sport of boxing we will fight at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds. When I beat him, I don’t want any excuses about the extra two pounds he had to lose. I will beat him at his best, fair and square.” Even though Rosado looks physically much bigger than Golovkin, he has fought the majority of his professional bouts at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds.

“The old-timers didn’t need any catch weights, they were real men. Middleweight champions fight at 160 and that’s what I want.”

In accordance with Rosado’s wishes the contract for the world championship bout will be amended to the middleweight limit of 160.

Said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions; “I was surprised when I got the call to increase the weight to 160.  I have to give Rosado a lot of credit, he is very confident and that is what makes this such a great fight.  It should be the fight of the night on a great show and tickets have been selling very well.”

“GOLOVKIN VS. ROSADO” which will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT, is a 12-round battle between WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin and world ranked challenger “King” Gabriel Rosado set for Saturday, January 19 at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, ‘The Mecca of Boxing” in New York City.

Promoted by Top Rank Incorporated and K2 Promotions, the World Championship Tripleheader also features Orlando “SIRI” Salido defending his WBO Featherweight Title against undefeated No. 1 contender Mikey Garcia and two-time WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez clashing with No. 1 contender Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos.

Remaining tickets, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, are currently available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com .