by T.K. Stewart
Bob Arum says the Antonio Margarito vs. Shane Mosley fight will be for "the battle of Los Angeles" and if that's the case, Antonio Margarito is happy to oblige.
Margarito and Mosley will clash at the Staples Center on January 24th and the 'Tijuana Tornado' is eager to fight in front of what he says are practically his hometown fans. Although he hails from south of the border in Tijuana, Mexico, Margarito says the people of L.A. are his fans - not Shane Mosley's - who grew up only 30 miles from downtown L.A. in nearby Pomona.
"I'm happy to be fighting in L.A. just like I'm happy when I fight in Las Vegas," said Margarito who is well into his training for the Mosley fight which is now only 3 1/2 weeks away. " I'm happy because now all of my fans can come and see me fight."
Margarito is hoping that his many fans make the 135-mile trip from Tijuana. With the majority of tickets priced at an affordable cost of $50 or $75, the promoters of the bout say that tickets are moving briskly.
Margarito tells BoxingScene that his training is coming along well and that he's looking forward to the first big fight of 2009.
"I enjoyed my time off and I always keep myself in shape. I was just waiting for my next fight to come along and right now I am one-hundred percent in the gym with getting ready for 'Sugar' Shane," said Margarito, the WBA 147-pound champion.
Despite the fact that he is the heavy betting favorite to be victorious over Mosley, Margarito says he is taking his training just as serious as though he were fighting Miguel Cotto again.
"I don't underestimate anybody," said Margarito. "I know he has a lot of experience from throughout his career so I'm giving it my all in the gym for this fight."
Margarito said he has had a lot of time to think about Shane Mosley because he claims this is a fight that he first proposed two years ago, but back then Mosley and his people wanted nothing to do with him.
"I'm happy now because I've been fighting for such a long time," said Margarito. "Now I'm finally getting the recognition I deserve and I'm very happy now."
Margarito said that all of his attention is focused on turning back the challenge of Mosley despite the fact that many reporters bring up Paul Williams' name. Williams won a 12-round decision over him in July 2007.
"I'm not thinking about Paul Williams right now. I'm one-hundred percent thinking about 'Sugar' Shane."
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