Amway Center to host Miguel Cotto, Delvin Rodriguez boxing match

ORLANDO, Fla. — For the first time in decades, boxing is coming to central Florida.

The Amway Center is hosting a match that it promises to attract fans and boost the economy.

One of the boxers, Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, could be the reason the match is being held in Orlando.

Cotto has a training facility named after his father on Orange Blossom Trail, and the Amway Center is banking on that fact to fill seats.

Mayor Buddy Dyer announced what could begin a new trend in tourism at a news conference Tuesday.

Boxing matches are already popular in cities like Las Vegas, but the deal, which was inked just a few weeks ago, is meant to turn Orlando into a major player in the sport, with its large Latino community where boxing is still a top-watched and attended sport.

Fans are expected to come out for the match between Delvin Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic and two-time world title challenger and fan favorite Miguel Cotto, a Puerto Rican and three-division world championship.

"Whenever you bring a big fight to towns that are event-based towns they always explode with excitement," said Todd Duboef, president of boxing promotions company Top Rank.

Tickets go on sale July 30 and cost anywhere between $25 to $150 dollars.

The push to bring boxing to the Amway Center hinges on its desire to expand events beyond Orlando Magic games which have been poorly attended due to their tough year.

The boxing match will be held Oct. 5.

WFTV