Exclusive Boxing Interview: Antonio Margarito

“If I Fought Floyd At 154, It Would Just Be Better For Me!”

Antonio Margarito defends his WBO Welterweight title tonight against Joshua Clottey at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City but as a guy who has called out every other champion within reach, the tall 28 year old would prefer to be fighting for a title other than his own . Some have called Margarito the most feared fighter, pound for pound, in all of boxing. Others say he is overrated and it is only a matter of time before he is exposed.

Click for larger image © Tom Casino Showtime Boxing

It doesn’t matter which category you fall into when you make your opinion, the fact is that no one is lining up to step in the ring with him.

Is Antonio Margarito as feared and dangerous as people say? Well, that’s not my call but I do know that even if he is overrated, who has openly stated so and chased him down to prove it? Antonio has called out Mayweather time and again but the “Pretty Boy” has opted for a different route. It might be the money he will make fighting De La Hoya that made him jump to 154, yet you still have to wonder if that is the only reason?

If I was able to answer that question, I would be picking winning lotto numbers instead of working for a living, but I do know this much; Margarito wants all the titles. He states that with every chance he gets to do so. He doesn’t care who holds the belts, he just wants them and until the time comes that someone is willing to put their a belt up against his, he will continue to dominate his opponents that are willing to sign. Here is what he had to say about all that and more, exclusively to SaddoBoxing.

SaddoBoxing: How are you Antonio? Saturday is coming soon; are you ready? I have to ask, why Clottey?

Antonio Margarito: “I am ready to step in the ring right now. I am ready to fight! Clottey is the only guy we could get to sign to fight me, so I had no choice for the moment.”

SB: Really? Is it becoming that hard to find opponents?

AM: “My promoter at Top Rank is working on other things, but right now we have to take who is willing.”

SB: Well, the good news is that Miguel Cotto, who is also fighting on your card in Atlantic City, has just moved up from 140. As he is a guy known for his power and willingness, if he wins his fight against Carlos Quintana, what are the possibilities of a fight between you two?

AM: “I know I want the winner of that fight. I am after all of the other champions right now, I don’t care who it is. Miguel has a lot of power and heart, it would be a good fight if he takes the belt and is willing to fight me.”

SB: If fights at 147 are becoming harder to get, how about moving up to 154?

AM: “Right now I am concentrating on 147 pounds and winning all the belts there. Arum will get those fights for me I trust him to do that.”

SB: Floyd Mayweather has moved to 154. He is a guy that you have stated you want to fight and have said this numerous times: will you go to 154 and fight him?

AM: “I don’t know why he went to 154? It was his decision and I respect him for that. I think he is making a mistake, though. He is not big enough to stay at that weight. If he beats De La Hoya and has a title, I would go there to fight him as long as it is worth doing so. I don’t think he will beat De La Hoya. He is just not big enough to be effective at that weight for any amount of time.”

SB: So you would rather fight him at 147?

AM: “I don’t care if it is 147 or 154. 154 is only better for me. I am the bigger man and the weight would be to my advantage, not his. He could not beat me at 154, there is no way it would happen.”

SB: Other than Floyd Mayweather, who do you want right now?

AM: I don’t care who, I just want another champion. My goal is to get all the titles. I want to be the only champion at 147.”

SB: Some people say you are the most feared fighter at any weight right now. What will you do if the fights start getting harder to sign? If the champions won’t sign to fight you, then what?

AM: “Then I guess I will have to look elsewhere besides 147. 154 has some good fights out there. If I go there, I just want the champions.”

SB: Some say that you are overrated; anything to say to them?

AM: “I fight in the ring. That is my job. To go in, fight and win. That is what I do and that is why I am champion. Until someone proves otherwise,, I am the best man at this weight. If you think you can beat me then sign to fight me.”

SB: What do you have to say to your supporters out there?

AM: “I just want them to know every time I step in the ring, I bring my heart in with me. I give it my all every time. I will continue to fight and to give it everything I have every time. I don’t doubt anyone, I just know what I can do. I will continue to remain champion.”

SB: Champ, I know you have to go but before you do, let me say good luck. As always, on behalf of SaddoBoxing and myself, thank you for your time.

AM: “Thank you .”