Antonio Margarito has slowly gained a reputation
as one of the top fighters in the welterweight
division, and on April 23rd, he will get a chance to prove
that against one of the top phenoms in Boxing, Kermit
Cintron. Margarito is a ring veteran, who has fought
a lot of tough guys, but at times in the past was a guy
who many big names avoided. Antonio even tried to move
up to 154 in hopes of landing a big money fight, but
was unsuccesful in doing so. Now, he lands a fight in
the welterweight division against another young hard
puncher who many have avoided.
Kermit Cintron is one of the most talked about
phenoms in Boxing. He has drawn many comparisons to
his fellow countrymen, Felix Trinidad, especially
because of his punching power. He defeated respected
veteran Teddy Reid in his last fight nine months ago.
He has had a long layoff due to problems he had with
his right hand. For Cintron, this will be a major
step up, and the type of fight that could lead him into
a similar path as Trinidad. The styles of these two
fighters and their reputations make this a hugely
intriguing fight. Margarito will take on undefeated
Kermit Cintron in the main event of ESPN's first ever
pay per view card on April 23rd. The two sat down
during a conference call on Tuesday and both were very
respectful towards each other. Here's a little of what
they had to say.
ANTONIO MARGARITO
-On why this should be a great fight...
Styles make
fights, in my last few fights I haven't adapted as
well as I should have, but our styles match well for
this fight, and I have prepared very hard for this
fight.
-On what he expects during the fight...
Anything could
happen. I've made some adjustments since my last
fight, and I'm ready for anything.
-On the Mexican-Puerto Rican rivalry in Boxing...
I know
there's a rivalry out there, I've only fought Daniel
Santos and you know how that went. All I can do is
prepare and worry for this fight.
-On Cintron's punching power...
I always prepare for 12
hard rounds, and I feel I am also a strong puncher.
I've proven myself against big punchers before. I know
he's strong, but I have been up against guys like this
before.
-On his sparring...
I've been sparring against bigger,
strong guys in preparation for this fight.
-On the importance of this fight...
All fights are
important, but this one is more important. It would
open up a lot more opportunities if I beat Cintron.
-On the fight...
I'm looking forward to this type of
fight. I know he's ready and hungry, but so am I.
KERMIT CINTRON
-On Margarito...
He's a great champion, has good heart,
and always come to fight.
-On Margarito's last fight against Sebastian Lujan...
Lujan brought it to him, and he adjusted and picked
him apart. I walked away from that fight thinking he's
a great champ. I thought he got hit a lot, but every
fight is different, and I know he'll adjust.
-On stepping up in class...
I'm definitely ready to step
it up. I was ready for Teddy Reid, and I'm ready now.
Whoever is the best, bring them on.
-On what would happen if Margarito can take his
punches...
The more he stands there, the more punishment
he's gonna get.
-On the effects of a nine month layoff...
The layoff has
made me hungrier. I really can't wait to fight, and I'm
ready.
-On the healing of his right hand, which he had to
have surgery on, which led to the nine month layoff...
It's great, I love that I can use my right hand again
they way that I want to. I have been sparring with it
and it's great.
-When asked why he didn't take a tune up before this
fight...
I would have liked to, but we couldn't do it.
We just want to fight the best.
-On Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s prediction that he would get knocked out...
Who's Floyd? My chin has been tested, let
people come see if my chin is fine. He's going to be
surprised against Gatti, if Chop Chop Corley can hurt
him, then Floyd's going to be in for a surprise
against Gatti.
-On the importance of this fight...
It's the fight of my
life.
-On his sparring...
We have also been sparring against
bigger guys weighing from 147-154.
