Velez Will Not Face Gradovich on Cotto-Martinez

By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - BoxingScene.com has been advised that undefeated contender Jayson Velez (21-0, 15KOs) will not challenge IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich (18-0, 9KOs) on June 7th, as part of the Miguel Cotto-Sergio Martinez HBO Pay-Per-View event from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

There were obvious conflicts from the start, because Velez is co-promoted between Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. And the Cotto-Martinez card is being co-promoted by Golden Boy's main business rival, Top Rank - and Gradovich is one of Top Rank's rising champions. In order for the fight to happen, Golden Boy would have to sign off - which they won't for obvious reasons.

Cotto's legal adviser, Gaby Penagaricano, tells BoxingScene that Velez's return is being targeted for one of Golden Boy's dates in the month of April.