By Mark Vester
Antonio Margarito is very upset with some of Miguel Cotto's comments over the last few weeks. On February 10, Margarito and his trainer Javiar Capetillo had their licenses revoked by the California State Athletic Commission over a foreign substance that was discovered in Margarito's handwraps before the Jan. 24 bout with Shane Mosley. Margarito had a rematch scheduled for Cotto for June, but the year-long ban put an end to that fight.
Cotto, who was knocked out by Margarito last July, was very upset with their mutual promoter Top Rank, when he learned of their plan to stage a Margarito bout in Mexico. He told reporters that Margarito should not only be banned in America, but everywhere in the world. Cotto is so upset over the situation that insiders feel that he may jump to another promoter when his contract is up at the end of the year.
"You know what. If it was up to me, we should all abide by the rules. He was suspended for a year. I don't think he should fight. It's not right for him to fight somewhere else. He should abid by the rules. If he can't fight in the United States then he shouldn't fight at all," Cotto said.
Margarito has returned some un-friendly fire.
BoxingScene.com was provided with an exclusive translated transcript of Margarito's response on ESPN Deportes Radio.
"If (Cotto) doesn't know anything, it's better for him to shut his mouth. How does Cotto know what's going on for him to say that I should be banned everywhere. It seems to me that (Cotto) is very jealous that Arum is helping me. Arum knows that I am a clean person and not someone would do anything illegal," Margarito said.
"First Cotto tells the media that he reached an agreement for a rematch with me, but then said I will have to wait a year. I want to send a message to Cotto - you don't have to wait a year. In the same way that I would have gone to Puerto Rico to fight, he can come to Mexico whenever he wants and I will beat him again."
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