By Mark Vester
WBA welterweight champion Anotonio Margarito spoke ESTO during a recent trip in Tijuana, Mexico, and told the paper that he wants to fight Oscar De La Hoya so he can avenge his idol, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. De La Hoya fought Chavez twice, when the Mexican legend was well past his prime, and gave him beatings on the way to stopping him in both fights. Erik Morales was present as Margarito received an award for his recent knockout win over Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.
"Top Rank asked Oscar De La Hoya is he wants to make the fight and he doesn't say anything. He thought Cotto was going to beat me. I want to avenge my idol Julio Cesar Chavez," Margarito said. "The fight needs to be encouraged. It would be a great encounter for Mexico. He can fight us in Tijuana.
"Why is De La Hoya searching for a small fighter who was a flyweight champion like Manny Pacquiao? I am right here and still he is trying to make that fight with Pacquiao at welterweight. The Mexicans know it, that he should fight the "Tornado," not run from it."
De La Hoya told Arum that he doesn't want to fight for the final time against another Mexican. Margarito is not buying it because prior to the Cotto bout, De La Hoya said "a fight against the winner of Cotto-Margarito would be a great way to end" his career
"It's all excuses. I'll fight him at any weight he wants," Margarito said.
Margarito said that he expects to return to the ring in either November or December. He is not sure about the opponent, but Arum has said it might be the IBF chmapion Joshua Clottey or the winner of next month's bout between Shane Mosley and Ricardo Mayorga. De La Hoya on the other hand is inching closer to a bout with Pacquiao on December 6 in Las Vegas.
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