Boxing Quotes: Antonio Margarito – Joshua Clottey

Click for larger image © Tom Casino Showtime Boxing

The memorable 20th anniversary year of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will conclude in sensational style on Saturday, Dec. 2, with an outstanding world championship doubleheader featuring two of boxing’s most dynamic performers, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, live at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

In the first of the two co-featured main events on SHOWTIME, Margarito, the exciting, hard-hitting, World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-pound champion will defend his crown against WBO No. 5 contender Joshua Clottey.

The second championship bout of the night will pit undefeated Cotto (27-0, 22 KOs) against fellow undefeated Puerto Rican, southpaw Carlos Quintana (23-0, 18 KOs), for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title.

Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., in association with Northeast Promotions and Caesars Atlantic City, will promote the twin bill.

ANTONIO MARGARITO (33-4, 1 NC, 24 KOs)

“I hear many people say that I am the best welterweight in the world, but I also get angry that Floyd Mayweather says he’s the best pound for pound and he refuses to fight me. Everyone says that he is scared. He says it’s because I haven’t fought the best fighters.”

“It has been a long time since I have lost at 147 pounds. (Kermit) Cintron said he was going to knock me out, but I have always been confident that I can be victorious in the big fights.”

“The big fighters don’t want to fight me. They don’t want to unify the titles. It is frustrating. Oscar De La Hoya knows who I am. We have sparred.”

“I want to fight Mayweather and (Carlos) Baldomir to prove myself to those that think I haven’t been tested.”

“I know how to box, but I like going toe to toe. I like to charge and exchange punches.”

JOSHUA CLOTTEY (30-1, 1 NC, 20 KOs)

“I think that I am the best pound-for-pound fighter in this division, and he (Margarito) thinks he is the best. We will see who the best is in the ring.”

“Margarito is a good champion, a good fighter. He fights the way I fight. He comes to fight. I don’t know how to run.”

“When I was with Lou DiBella, a lot of fighters didn’t want to fight me. I was happy to take this fight. I am excited for it. I want to be champion for my country.”

“I am a toe-to-toe fighter. I don’t want to back away from anyone. This is going to be a war.”