Controversial team Margarito video causes outrage in boxing world
A Fanhouse video depicting “The Tijuana Tornado” Antonio Margarito and his team making fun of legendary trainer Freddie Roach for having Parkinson's disease has caused an outrage in the boxing world.
Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports confirms that the video, quickly removed from the popular boxing site, depicted team Margarito mocking Roach, who has been fighting the life-altering disease for years.
Perhaps the low point of the clip was when trainer Robert Garcia, who is well-respected in the boxing community, pointed to upcoming prospect Brandon Rios shaking and pretending to be Roach and said: “hey, there’s Freddie Roach.”
Margarito is currently in his last leg of preparations for a bout on Saturday against boxer-congressman Manny Pacquiao. The two will square off for one of the most anticipated fights of the year in Arlington, Texas.
Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in the world. His trainer, Roach, has been in his corner for many of his legendary victories, including those against Oscar De la Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and Joshua Clottey.
Margarito is looking to redeem himself following a January 2009 incident where he allegedly tried to fight Shane Mosley with loaded hand wraps. While Margarito has denied knowledge of the wraps, many in the boxing world have called for his lifetime ban
from the sport. Margarito believes a win over Pacquiao will prove his innocence.
Team Margarito has previously tested the lines of humour and distaste. In a segment of HBO’s 24/7 series, they jokingly wrapped a cement block on Margarito’s hand, poking fun at the January 2009 incident.
Bob Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Margarito, contends that he believes Margarito is telling the truth in not knowing that his wraps were tampered. Immediately after the incident, Margarito fired trainer Javier Capetillo, whom he said placed the substance
in the wraps without his knowledge.
Pacquiao will be the heavy favourite when he and Margarito face off Saturday for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title.
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