By Mark Vester
Could an in-house struggle take place for Antonio Margarito? The Mexican fighter returns on May 8 in Mexico against Roberto Garcia. Margarito is a frontrunner possibility for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in the fall. Top Rank promotes both of the fighters. The promotional firm has a lot of interest in making that fight. Another Top Rank fighter, WBO/WBC middleweight Kelly Pavlik, returns on Saturday against Sergio Martinez.
If Pavlik gets past Martinez, Pavlik's trainer Jack Loew would like to see Margarito come up in weight for a fight.
"The marquee names could also come up to us. Everybody always [says] 'why doesn't Kelly move up to fight Chad Dawson at light heavyweight, or why doesn't Kelly move up to super middleweight.' We've been asked to go to heavyweight. Why don't they for once, say 'let Margarito come up from 154 to 160.' I would love it. [Top Rank CEO Bob]Arum was talking about putting Kelly in with a hispanic guy at Dallas [Cowboys] Stadium. Margarito, you can't get a better fit than that," Loew said.
Margarito's return is at 154-pounds. The former champion may return to welterweight but only if a fight with Manny Pacquiao is there. Another possible direction is a fight against the winner of the June bout between Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman, who are both promoted by Top Rank.
"My next fight is at 154. I said that I would come back down [to welterweight] for the opportunity to fight Manny Pacquiao. It doesn't matter where that fight happens. Then there is the winner of Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman. That's another fight I would like," Margarito said.
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