By Miguel Angel Cebreros, notifight.com
Former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito is going through a very strong training camp for his fight with Manny Pacquiao on November 13 in Dallas. He sat down with BoxingScene.com/NotiFight.com to discuss the Pacquiao fight, and other issues.
"The truth is that we are working very well, very strong, and I can confirm that I was already training in Tijuana before the fight came about, so there will be no problem, with the weight, or anything else," Margarito said.
You look different with Roberto Garcia, do you feel comfortable with him?
"Yes, we work very well. Robert is a great coach and I get along with him."
Few people believe in you Tony to beat Pacquiao. How do you feel about that?
"No problem, I respect everyone's opinion, everyone has their favorite. It was the same thing when I faced Miguel Cotto. Nobody did anything for me, but I told everyone that I would win, and wouldn't look bad. And now it will be the same thing, as I'll beat Manny Pacquiao too."
How's the weight issue for the fight?
"Look, in principle we agreed to 151 pounds for the vacant WBC super welterweight title, and that was the agreement, but then it changed. The people of Pacquiao leaned back, and then wanted it to be made at 149, and then I said 'they want the junior middleweight title but the limit of this division is 154.' After discussing it for a bit, we settled on 150."
Would you give up more?
"No, no, no, 150 will be the weight for the fight. We already signed the contract, and that will be weight."
What about Manny Pacquiao?
"Look, he's a great fighter, and he's done what no one has done in boxing by gaining titles in several weight categories, and he continues to win. But this is a matter of style. I have watched him fighting fighters who I also faced. Clottey was connecting on him and I beat Clottey and the same thing with Miguel Cotto. I am aware that he is very fast, nobody denies it. He might hit me with five to one at first, but I will gradually break him down and knock him out, as I did with Miguel Cotto. I'm too strong for him. "
So you abide by your stamina and power?
"At this weight nobody can beat me. And Manny Pacquiao, I have more power than him, and on November 13 I'm going to prove it."
Is there a defined strategy? Will you use your jab, exchange blows? How will you fight?
"Look, let's see what fight is best for us. You know me and know I can fight on the inside but if there is no need to fight inside, then I can use distance to work, and the jab is a major punch in boxing, and we are working on that with Robert, but it is also important to work the body to remove his legs. "
Is your best shot [to the body]?
"Yes, that's what everyone tells me, and now that you mention it. Clottey connected on him several times, and Pacquiao was hurt, but I'm more powerful than Clottey."
Miguel Cotto said he will await the winner of Margarito, Pacquiao, what does that tell you?
"we both knocked him out already, and if he wants another fight with me...no problem. I will fight him whenever he likes, and now I will knock him out even easier, but first I have a commitment with Manny, and I will not distracted thinking another opponent. "
People still criticize you about the hand wraps, and in Puerto Rico many think you beat Cotto and Cintron because you cheated.
"Cintron, I beat him twice. I do not need any of that to win my fights. They try to justify their defeats to me, but I won them all. For example, when I beat Sergio "Maravilla "Martinez, [trainer] Javier Capetillo was not with me. I'm not a dirty fighter, and the evidence shows it. They checked the gloves before and after the fight with Miguel Cotto. I fought with clean hands against Cotto and Cintron. They need to learn to be good losers."
Oscar De La Hoya is upset because you were licensed in Texas, what about that?
"I can not get Oscar in with me, because I always challenged him. I sometimes worked with him as a sparring partner, and several times I asked him for a chance, and he never gave it to me. And another time I challenged him publicly in Las Vegas. A popular, if the dog is barking, it's a sign that he wants something. If he wants something with me, then we can do it anytime but without stockings on...hahahaha."
