Antonio Margarito is well qualified to discuss Manny Pacquiao after sharing 12 hard rounds with the Filipino legend back in 2010.
Two years after his controversial win against Miguel Cotto, the biggest victory of his career, Margarito was handed the opportunity to restore some of his reputation against Pacquaio following an incident in 2009 against Shane Mosley when his hand wraps were found to include an illegal substance that was likened to plaster.
Margarito was never forgiven by the boxing public regarding the incident and Cotto would claim revenge over the Mexican in 2011 after stopping his great rival.
During his fight with Pacquiao, Margarito believed he could use his advantages in size and weight, but he was unable to resist the relentless attacks of the smaller man before being well beaten on the scorecards.
Margarito’s last fight was in 2017 when he defeated Carson Jones, but he still keeps an eye on ongoing events which includes Pacquiao’s rumoured rematch with Floyd Mayweather later this year.
Mayweather was victorious in 2015 when he outpointed Pacquiao, but Margarito, who was often linked to a fight with Mayweather, has backed his former opponent to level the series if they do clash.
“Honestly, I’ll tell you something: if they fight again, I’m with Pacquiao,” said Margarito when speaking to Luis Parra .
“Not because I fought him, or because he’s my friend, or because I know him. No, [it’s] because I think Pacquiao is better than Mayweather. That’s what I’ve always believed. If they face each other again, I’d say Pacquiao wins.”
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