Connect with us

Articles of 2006

Margarito not impressed with Mayweather Jr.

Published

on

According to WBO Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (33-4, 24 KO’s), Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s victory over Carlos Baldomir wasn’t all that significant. “It was exactly as everyone expected. Floyd punched and ran around while Baldomir chased. Very predictable. It’s always the same type of fight with him,” Margarito said of Mayweather Jr.’s performance.

Margarito is the man Mayweather Jr. chose not to face despite the fact that the money for fighting Baldomir was virtually the same. Instead, Mayweather Jr. chose to face a slower and less explosive version of the Tijuana fighter in Baldomir out of Santa Fe, Argentina. Baldomir started the fight well but became increasingly frustrated as “Lil’ Floyd” used superior speed and razor sharp reflexes to befuddle the always stalking champion. It was the equivalent of trying and failing to swat a giant, violent gnat that buzzed in and out of range. Mayweather was landing shots that hardly shook the Argentinean’s body. Most likely, it shook Baldomir’s psyche once he realized that getting to Mayweather would be a difficult proposition. In the end, Mayweather Jr. scored a unanimous decision but still didn’t get much appreciation from the fans in attendance who booed the new champion. And then there’s the boxing media that’s been criticizing Mayweather Jr. for years.

The columns sprung up all over the papers and internet chiding Mayweather’s “lackadaisical” boxing attitude and his lack of interest in “closing the show.” Some proclaimed him a bore and one of the reasons for boxing’s supposed demise. These are the same folks that have been proclaiming the death of the sport for a decade, yet the number of boxing promotions continue to grow at a steady rate.

Is Floyd Jr. getting a bad rap?

“Not at all,” said Margarito’s manager Sergio Diaz. “He’s a fighter that can’t bring people to the venues. He’s supposedly a top pound-for-pound fighter and the arena wasn’t exactly packed. Fans don’t like to see Mayweather Jr. fight. He’s definitely boring.” After the fight, Larry Merchant, the famed HBO boxing analyst, pointed out to Mayweather that the fans we’re indeed booing him. The comment incensed the newly crowned champion and made for some good television.

It seems that Floyd Mayweather Jr. can’t get a break.

After all, he did win titles as a junior featherweight, lightweight, jr. welterweight and now the welterweight title against very credible opposition. He made the highly regarded Diego Corrales look like an amateur in 2001. He won a close fight that could’ve gone either way against the also highly regarded Jose Luis Castillo and then defeated him convincingly in a rematch. There was also Jesus Chavez who he stopped in the ninth round. Zab Judah, another well regarded welterweight, was no match for the Grand Rapids, Michigan native and neither was Baldomir.

So why all the sharp criticism?

There were plenty of times during the Baldomir fight when Mayweather stood in front of “Tata” and exchanged. The end of the sixth round was a prime example of Mayweather Jr. exchanging with Baldomir. I don’t know that we can accuse Mayweather Jr. of “running” on that night. According to Margarito, Baldomir didn’t have the necessary tools. “Baldomir couldn’t capitalize during those moments because of his lack of speed. He should’ve been hitting him everywhere. On the arms, whatever it took to bring his guard down. When he got Mayweather to stop, Baldomir didn’t do enough,” Margarito commented. Baldomir’s punches grazed Mayweather’s head. Mayweather proved too quick and landed several effective shots that marked his opponent’s mug. Speed didn’t kill but it surely stung Baldomir all over the face as his post-fight appearance indicated.

Margarito’s people feel that a fight against Mayweather Jr. is unlikely at this point. “We’ve already accepted the fact that Floyd isn’t going to face Tony. He turned us down once because he said Tony wasn’t a big name and then he fought Baldomir who’s hardly known outside of boxing circles so we know the real reason he refused to fight us,” said Diaz. Diaz had landed Margarito a deal to fight Mayweather Jr. when “Pretty Boy Floyd” had a change of heart and chose to fight Baldomir instead. Some of his statements lent credence to the notion that Mayweather Jr. didn’t want to fight Margarito at any price. His reasons just didn’t jive with some of the boxing public.  

Margarito says he’s past the Mayweather Jr. debacle as he prepares for his upcoming fight against the tough African Joshua Clottey on December second. “I’m not looking past Clottey. He’s a rough fighter that fights with a lot of heart. I think 2007 will be my year. Hopefully I can get past Clottey and finally get a big fight.” For now, a Mayweather Jr. bout seems like a distant proposition. Mayweather Jr. is currently positioning himself to fight the king of the pay-per-views, Oscar De La Hoya, in a mega-fight that is likely to bring each fighter between ten to twenty million dollars.

Margarito can only dream of the money De La Hoya and Mayweather are slated to win if they fight each other. “If someone offers to pay me eight or ten million dollars to fight, I’d accept no matter who it was. That’s the type of money that changes your life forever,” Margarito said. For now, Margarito bides his time. “My time will come. Mosley and Mayweather and all the rest won’t be able to avoid me.” And what about his mandatory, the six-foot-plus Welterweight prospect Paul “The Punisher” Williams? “If I have to fight Williams and the money’s right then that’s fine too. It’s becoming clear to me that I’m going to have to clean out the division in order to get some respect and a big money fight. If that’s what it’s going to take then that’s what I’ll have to do.”

To watch Antonio Margarito sparring against “The Contender” Sergio Mora click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_uQLwuTeOQ

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles23 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles23 hours ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending