HBO Boxing: Margarito And Williams Share Views On Cotto vs. Judah Fight

In a highly anticipated match and can’t miss candidate for Fight of the Year, WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito will defend his belt against undefeated, No. 1-ranked and mandatory challenger, Paul “The Punisher” Williams in the main event of “Pride N’ Punishment” on Saturday, July 14, in the outdoor tennis stadium at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The 12-round bout, presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions, will be televised on HBO “World Championship Boxing.”

At a press conference earlier this week, promoter Dan Goossen said, “The winner of this fight is the preeminent welterweight in the world — and that includes (Miguel) Cotto or anyone else in the 147-pound division.”

Given the significance of Saturday’s world welterweight title fight, Margarito and Williams were asked to “weigh in” with their opinions on Miguel Cotto versus Zab Judah.

Here is what they had to say:

WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito

Q: Who do you think will win this weekend and why?

Margarito: Cotto will walk away victorious because he is too strong for Judah. Knowing this makes me happy because after I walk away victorious on July 14 I will be ready to fight Cotto.

Q: Will it be a knockout or victory by decision?

Margarito: If Judah comes to fight Cotto will probably knock him out. If Judah is only there for the payday and to run around, then the fight might go the distance, but either way Cotto wins.

Q: Could the Cotto-Judah winner overcome your size advantage?

Margarito: I have always fought fighters of all sizes throughout my career. Tall or short, no one is going to beat me.

Q: What would you do against Cotto or Judah?

Margarito: I look forward to fighting either of them. Of course, I will win. I feel I am the best welterweight in the world. I never go into a fight predicting a knockout. All that I know and that my fans know is that I ALWAYS give my best and come out victorious.

Q: Would you like the winner to be seated ringside on July 14?

Margarito: My fight against Paul Williams is going to be a great one. If the winner of Cotto vs. Judah was sitting ringside on my night, that would be great.

Q: Who is the most feared welterweight in the world today?

Margarito: Me. I’m the best out there and on July 14 Paul Williams is going to know that too.

Unbeaten, No. 1-Ranked Paul Williams

Q: Who do you think will win this weekend and why?

Williams: Right now my only focus is July 14 and putting a whippin’ on him. I just hope it’s a good fight [Cotto vs. Judah] because I know my fight against Margarito is going to be spectacular.

Q: Will it be a knockout or victory by decision?

Williams: Like I said, I just hope it is a good fight. If I had to pick, I’d go with a knockout.

Q: Could the Cotto-Judah winner overcome your size advantage?

Williams: After July 14 the boxing world will have to recognize Paul Williams as the best welterweight in the world. I would love to fight the winner of Cotto vs. Judah but I would be willing to fight any top welterweights to show that I am the best. Size doesn’t matter.

Q: What would you do against Cotto or Judah?

Williams: Put a whippin’ on him — just like I am going to do to Margarito.

Q: Would you like the winner to be seated ringside on July 14?

Williams: Yes, most definitely. I’ve been calling Margarito out for so long that after I beat him, I want to look down at ringside and see my next opponent. One of my goals is to unify the titles.

Q: Who is the most feared welterweight in the world today?

Williams: Me. I’m the best out there. On July 14, Margarito is going to know that too.

Tickets for “Pride N’ Punishment” are available for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $300. Other tickets in the bowl are available at $50, $75 and $150 and are on sale at TicketMaster outlets and online at www.Ticketmaster.com, as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Group tickets are available online at www.aegtickets.com or by calling 1-877-AEG-TICKETS. The first bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. PT.