Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
The three time welterweight champion Antonio “Tijuana Tornado” Margarito announced his return to the boxing ring earlier this week in Beverly Hills, CA, at a press conference hosted by Top Rank Promotions. Margarito stated that he was confident in reaching the top of the boxing world once again and his first step towards that goal was to defeat Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia on May 8th in Aguascalientes, MX, as part of the main event of the “Latin Fury 14″ PPV.
THe fight will be broadcast on PPV in the United States and Azteca in all of Mexico.
“I know that I have to recuperate what I have lost and I know I will achieve it. I owe the fight fans for my last fight,” Margarito stated. “I will demonstrate with my showing that I have a lot left in this beautiful sport.”
Margarito of Tijuana, MX, has not fought since losing to Shane Mosley in January of 2009 and being suspended by the California State Athletic Comission after irregularies were found in his hand wraps prior to the bout.
“I have not fought but I have been in the gym all this time,” Margarito assured the assembled press. “I know that I can return to where I was at but I know it will take a lot of work.”
After firing his trainer Javier Capetillo, Margarito now trains under former IBF super featherweight champion Robert “Granpa” Garcia in Oxnard, CA.
“I feel good and comfortable with Robert Garcia and his fighters,” Margarito shared. “He has a good team and little by little I have been feeling more comfortable with his style of work. I am very happy with the whole group.”
According to Margarito, his return couldn’t have been against a better opponent or a better venue.
“I am very happy in fighting in Mexico, it has been over 10 years since the last time,” Margarito said with a smile. “I will have a great opponent in front of me who will fight and will help me give a great show to all the fans.”
For his part, “La Amenaza” Garcia has been training at the Wild Card Gym under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.
“I am not going to Aguascalientes to cash in a check, I am going to win,” Garcia said confidently. “I have a lot of respect for Margarito has done in his boxing career but I am going to go in the gym with everything and give a big surprise in Aguascalientes.”
Also present at the press conference were Brandon Rios of Oxnard, CA, and Urbano Antillon of Maywood, CA, who will be facing each other in a lightweight bout of world ranked fighters.
“This is a very important fight for my career and because of that I am getting ready at 100%,” Rios, who is also trained by Robert Garcia, stated. “I know that it will be a great fight because both of us have a similar style.”
Antillon, who is training in Big Bear, CA, by Abel Sanchez, also stated that he is confident in victory.
“I know that it will be a tough fight and that is why I am preparing for,” Antillon said. “I think it can be a memorable fight because of our styles and our will to win.”
The televised fight card will also showcase the first defense of the interim WBA super featherweight champion Jorge “Coloradito” Solis against Puerto Rican Jose Santiago.
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