Antonio Margarito questions Oscar De la Hoya’s Mexican roots
Things are getting serious between Antonio Margarito and Oscar De la Hoya.
It’s no secret that the two rival Mexicans have bad blood — but stakes have been heightened as Margarito has implied De la Hoya isn’t a “true Mexican” in the ring.
In a recent interview with boxingscene.com, Margarito said: “There’s a difference between us [me and De la Hoya]. I’m a true Mexican. I will die in the ring. I will not quit,” Margarito said.
The “Tijuana Tornado” was referring to a 2008 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De la Hoya, in which De la Hoya quit on his stool following the eighth round.
Margarito will take on Pacquiao Saturday, and vows he will not repeat the performance.
"I'm going to do everything,” Margarito said. “I'm going to give my heart. I'm going to do everything I can to beat Manny Pacquiao. Speed can give any type of fighter problems, but I'm going to be ready.”
A feud between Margarito and De la Hoya was solidified in January 2009 when Margarito was found with loaded gloves prior to a fight with “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Mosley, a Golden Boy fighter, is represented by business CEO Oscar De la Hoya.
Following the controversy, De la Hoya publicly announced that Margarito ought to be banned from boxing for life for attempting to put Mosley’s life in danger.
Margarito has always maintained his innocence and claimed the wrongdoing should be attributed to his former trainer, Javier Capetillo. Margarito says he was unaware of any foreign substance in his wraps.
Following accusatory words from “The Golden Boy,” Margarito challenged De la Hoya to a fight in the ring, something he has yet to respond to.
De la Hoya was noted for his talents in the ring, but is perhaps most noteworthy for generating more money than any other boxer in the history of the sport.
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