“Excuse and lie number one - ‘I can't fight Antonio because the Mexican people will not like me.’ That one was funny, a couple of months ago it did not bother you to publicly announce that Cotto would beat me. That statement was printed around the world, including Mexico. You didn't seem to worry about how the Mexican people would react when you made it. This goes to show that it does not matter what the Mexican people think of you. Being a resident of Puerto Rico, you showed your best interest and alliance to Puerto Rico. I don't blame you, but this first excuse is unacceptable.”

“Excuse number two - You mentioned that you would fight the winner between Cotto/Margarito, but you never thought Margarito would win, no one thought Margarito would win. This one is still open-ended. What does this mean? You didn't mean to fight me, because you saw what I did to Cotto? If Cotto would have been in the same fight, but come out victorious - you would have fought him since he was in such a tough fight? If I would of been knocked down a couple of times, cut, and injured - then maybe? What is it Oscar? You didn't see anything you liked, Cotto not coming out with a victory, Cotto receiving a beating, or me being victorious in such a manner that it didn’t convince you and whomever else that you could beat me? I am confused with this excuse?"

“Excuse number three - I'm disrespecting Paul Williams. I said what I had to say about Paul. I did my job to get that fight. They chose to take another fight - now they have to wait.”
De La Hoya has said more than once that his former trainer Freddie Roach is the catalyst for the urge to fight Pacquiao, who would have to move up by two weight-divisions to meet him at the welterweight limit of 147-pounds. Roach , who trains Pacquiao, told media members that Oscar was no longer able to “pull the trigger” and picked Pacquiao to win by knockout. As far the comments by Roach, Margarito agrees that De La Hoya is no longer able to “pull the trigger.”

“Now I know why Freddie said Oscar can't pull the trigger. He really can't pull the trigger. Now he's getting brave with a 135- pound fighter and is trying to convince everyone that is a tough fight. He's getting brave with a great fighter, but a fighter who fights at 135-pounds. He wants to show the world that he can pull the trigger against a 135-pounder! What a man! What a hero! What a businessman! Go ahead Oscar, show the world you can still pull that trigger,” Margarito said.

“Just remember Oscar, I've done everything you've asked for, won titles, been on the big stage, filled seats, sold pay per views, beaten Cotto. What else is there to do? What is your next excuse?”