By Radio Rahim

Michael Yormark – Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy - wanted his company to stage a pay-per-view event that gave value to the paying consumer.

Last week, Roc Nation officially announced the return of former four division world champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs), who will step in the ring with James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs) on Saturday, February 25 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

The junior middleweight fight will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  Tickets for the event were priced at $304, $204, $154, $104, $79, $54 and $29.

Yorkmark was tired of hearing the constant complaints from fans who purchased pay-per-view events and were disappointed by the in-ring action. 

The Roc Nation exec is predicting a knockout ending, with a contest fought at a furious pace from start to finish. Kirkland is undefeated when trainer Ann Wolfe is working his corner, and both boxers are coming back from lengthy layoffs.

“We listened to consumers, we heard what they wanted to see. HBO heard what they wanted too which is why we priced it at $49.95, a great value proposition. Think about what this fight is going to be…action packed…and will probably end in a knockout," Yormark said.

"So people who buy this fight can anticipate a lot of action, hard punching and probably a knockout. That is what people what to see, that is what they are willing to investment their money in if they are confident that they are going to get it."

“James Kirkland is an aggressive and lethal opponent. The perfect opponent for Miguel Cotto. From the opening bell, you are going to see action. That is what this fight is all about. For as long as it lasts, it’s going to be a brawl and whoever wins this fight, will move on to a huge fight in 2017. So, there is a lot at stake here."