FORTUNA TO COTTO: NO EXCUSES TONIGHT

Former interim WBA Featherweight World Champion and undefeated super featherweight contender, Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna doesn’t want to hear any excuses tonight.

Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic, is set to take on Puerto Rico’s Abner “Pin” Cotto (18-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight bout to open tonight’s (Saturday, November 1) SHOWTIME BOXING: Special Edition tripleheader (live at 9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

“Every time I beat someone, they say there were sick, or they say they were injured,” said Fortuna. “There’s always an excuse. They had a cold. It’s always something. My opponents always have an excuse. I want to know Abner Cotto is 100% ready for Saturday so when I beat him, there are no excuses.”

In the night’s main event, top light heavyweight contender Andrzej "Chicago’s Polish Prince" Fonfara (25-3, 15 KOs), will make his ring return against France via Congo’s Doudou Ngumbu (33-5, 12 KOs). And in the other televised fight, WBO World Bantamweight Champion Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda (30-0, 19 KOs), of Tokyo, Japan, will defend his title for the third time against Interim WBO Bantamweight Champion Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez (28-10-2, 15 KOs) of Mexico City in a 12-round battle.

Tickets start at $31 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or call: 1-800-745-3000, the Warriors Offices: 312-622-7668 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office: 312-413-5740, or visit the UIC Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). They can also be purchased the night of the event.

Fortuna, who trained with Hector Bermudez between Albany and Boston for this fight, is known for scoring sensational knockouts. The 25-year-old says he’s not sure if he’ll be able to deliver another classic KO in this fight, only that he will defeat Cotto, guaranteed.

“He’s a good boxer and he has the pedigree of the Cotto family,” said Fortuna of his opponent. “He says he’s already beaten two Dominicans, but this is the professional game now. Amateur is a different world. I will see what he brings to the table and then if he’s there to be taken I will, but I’m ready to go ten rounds as well, no problem.”

Fortuna, who has worked with long-time exclusive promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and manager Cesar Mercedes for many years, recently signed with boxing power broker Al Haymon as well.

“I want to say thank you to Al Haymon, Showtime, my manager and, of course, my promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who I’ve been working with me since I was 16.”

Fortuna says he’s at the stage of his career where he’s ready for anyone put in front of him, but he does have one opponent he’d love a crack at.

“Everyone knows I bring excitement to my division because of my explosiveness. I’ve proven it over and over. Who I fight is up to my promoter, but I am ready for any super featherweight in the world. However I would fight (WBO Super Featherweight Champion) Mikey Garcia at any weight. Make it happen.”

Fortuna, a father of three, says he has some special dedications for this fight.

“I want to dedicate this fight to my beautiful daughter, whose first birthday is on the night of my fight, this Saturday. I ask God to keep her healthy and secure for the rest of her life. I also want to dedicate it to the people of my great country. I’m very proud to be Dominican, and the rivalry between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic will be on full display in the ring on Saturday night.