By Michael Marley
OXNARD—Antonio Margarito is harboring a terrorist at his training camp in an area on the wrong side of the railroad tracks in this city about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
But no need to call the FBI or Interpol or any other law enforcement authorities because the threatmaker is undefeated, 24 year old lightweight Brandon Lee Rios and, instead of frightening folks, he is providing some sorely needed comedy relief as the nine week training grind for the Nov. 13 Manny Pacquiao comes to a close.
To hear Rios, whose ring record is 25-0-1 with 18 knockout, tell it there may not be any big show that night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, because “excuse makers” Pacman and his glorified trainer Freddie Roach aren't looking for the weigh in, they may be seeking a way out.
Rios said as much in his foghorn voice to a select group of boxing media and an HBO film crew as Margarito sputtered through a perfunctory, non-sparring workout Tuesday with former world champion Robert Garcia, who also trains Rios.
It's a good thing it wasn't Margarito's Media Day and promoter Bob Arum, who also handles Rios, was not present because the nearing age 79 veteran might have what is euphemistically known as a cardiac event.
“To me, I think Pacquiao is scared, Freddie Roach is scared and they will try to find an excuse to cancel this fight. Margarito is going to kick Manny's ass. I wonder if they will say that Manny hurt his hand.
“I would not be surprised,” Rios said, “if they cancel the fight. They want us to think Pacquiao isn't working hard so that Margarito will train lightly.
“But that won't happen and this will be the biggest upset in boxing history. (Oscar) De La Hoya and everyone else will be mad. Nobody is going to stop Margarito because he's going to be a world champion once again,” Rios said.
“If Freddie is going to talk spit, then I will be the bad guy over here, that's my job.”
Rios continued his amusing harrangue.
"I think that Manny is scared, I think they'll come up with some injury. Joshua Clottey can't even punch and he was hitting him easy.”
"Both Margarito and Garcia responded to Rios' rant with smiles. Garcia even got into the trashtalking spirit.
“I want Naazim Richardson!” the former IBF junior lightweight champion said, laughing.
Richardson is the trainer of Sugar Shane Mosley and was the whistleblower when Margarito had an illegal knuckle pad insert in his handwraps before Mosley hammered the Mexican in a Los Angeles bout.
In contrast to the often closed Pacquiao camp in Hollywood, the Margarito camp was wide open and without any security guards protecting the entrance.
“What is there to hide?” Garcia asked.
"Antonio is in top shape, it's going to be a great fight and we've been at it for nine weeks. Margarito tells me he feels even better about his condition, his training, than he did before the (Miguel) Cotto fight.”
Garcia stressed a family atmosphere in the small camp where he's employed four lefthanded sparring partners, none of whom he admitted are Xerox copies of Pacman's quirky but devastating style.
The sparmates are Cleotis Pendarvis, former amateur hotshot Ricardo Williams, Casey Martinez and Austin Trout.
“You can't find someone who imitates Pacquiao,” Garcia said.
Garcia said he's found Margarito to be an asset to the gym and to the community in Garcia's hometown.
Both Robert and Fernando Vargas learned their basic boxing skills, the ones that led them to world titles, at the La Colonia Gym where Robert's father, Eduardo, held sway.
“Antonio paid the way for some of my amateur kids to go compete in a tournament,” Garcia said. “We've had barbecues at my house on the weekend. He's participated in a fundraiser and signed autographs for four hours, until the last person left.
"A lot of people think he's a cheater, I know, and some will never change their minds. But we don't think he has to prove himself to anyone.
“This is just a very important fight. We could change some minds about what happened that night with Mosley but some people will never believe it or understand it.”
Garcia, who trains Pinoy stars Brian Valoria and Nonito Donaire, joked with GMA TV reporter Chino Trinidad that he didn't want to burn any Filipino bridges.
"Come Nov. 14, I will be putting on my Donaire teeshirt," Garcia said. "I've been treated great every time in your country, with great hospitality."
Michael Marley is the national boxing examiner for examiner.com. To read more stories by Michael Marley, Click Here .
