Accused trainer opens up about Antonio Margarito controversy
Javier Capetillo, former trainer of shamed boxer Antonio Margarito, has opened up about a January 2009 controversy in which he was accused of loading his fighter’s gloves with an illegal substance.
In an interview with Ring Magazine’s Doug Fischer, Capetillo referred to the incident, saying: “I made a mistake. I wasn't trying to hide anything. I just screwed up, and I did it in front of Mosley's trainer and the commissioners. I was just under a lot
of pressure because I knew we shouldn't have taken the fight.”
Margarito, who is scheduled to take on superstar Manny Pacquiao Saturday, was moments away from a bout with “Sugar” Shane Mosley at the time of the incident.
“The Tijuana Tornado” has maintained his innocence and says he wasn’t aware of the illegal substance in his pads.
Capetillo seconded the claim, and added that he was entirely to blame for the incident, which was caused mostly by error and last minute pressure.
"I knew Tony was in trouble and I knew that I had put him in that position,” Capetillo admitted. “I wrapped Tony's hands four times in front of Mosley's trainer and the commissioners and two representatives from Golden Boy Promotions after they found the
gauze. I admitted then that I made a mistake."
After the incident many in the boxing community felt that Margarito ought to be banned from boxing for life. Others, such as Bob Arum, who promotes Margarito, have sided with the fighter and insisted on his innocence.
Margarito’s upcoming bout with Pacquiao is solely due to retrieving a boxing license in Texas after being banned in Nevada and California. He hopes a win will afford him a sense of redemption and prove he is not a cheater.
Pacquiao will be looking for his eighth title in as many divisions.
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