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With
Williams is the wings, and Clottey on the Calendar, Margarito is going
to have to show up big.
By Mike Cassell “The Philadelphia Boxing Report
(OCT 23) Back in April, a confident and cocky Antonio Margarito W 33-4
(24 ko's) called out the best fighter pound for pound in the world;
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather’s response was simple. I can’t make any
real money with you, go out and fight somebody, then come see me. To say
that Margarito is taking some tough fights is a real understatement.
Joshua Clottey W 29-1 (18 ko's) is one tough customer, and if the truth
be know, his only loss comes from Carlos Baldomir, and that was by
disqualification for leading with his head, but he was clearly winning
that fight on the cards, and if the fight went another round or two, he
would have won, and rewrote everything that is happening right now at
147lbs. There is something very important to understand about Clottey.
He will never back down. He is a toe to toe slugger, and this fight will
be absolutely spectacular. Clottey believes he is the best fighter in
that weight class, and although he is the smaller man, I feel like he
has the best chance against Margarito. In his own words “I don’t know
how to run.” I like Clottey immensely. This is the type of fighter that
I believe is as good as Margarito, but doesn’t have to talk so much. He
is a hidden wonder. Not a lot of fans found out about him, until he
fought guys like Richard Gutierrez, an undefeated tough Colombian
fighter that seemed that seemed physically and psychologically beaten
from the first bell, against the “hitter” Clottey.
I wrote a lot of things about Margarito too, but I will go on record
now, and take some of it back. This guy is as tough as nails, and he
will fight anybody. He really loves to talk, but man does he love to
fight, not box, but really fight. When I heard of this match up, I
nearly couldn’t believe it. Then I began to rethink how I defended Floyd
Mayweather Jr’s. Thinking, when it came to saying no to Margarito’s
6millon dollar offer in April. I think that is fight Mayweather should
have taken, if only to prove, he is as good as he says he is. After
Mayweather declined, Margarito could have took a high profile name, to
look good, and steer away from a slugger like Clottey, but he chose the
tougher little known opponent, over an easier more popular opponent,
like say, an Arturo Gatti. Margarito is not looking for the money, he is
looking to be better than anybody, and then he knows, the money will
come with it. Clottey is almost a mirror of Margarito, tough,
determined, and will not back away from anybody, that includes
Mayweather. If Margarito somehow pulls of a victory, and he fights
Williams too, how can Mayweather say no, without looking like a fool. I
for one, will be the first to tell Mayweather, “Ali would fight him, and
so would Sugar Ray Robinson, what’s your excuse, other than fear?” If
you are going to say you are better than an ALI or Robinson, you had
better back it up, because I know for 100% certainty, there will be no
out for him.
The most important thing in this whole equation, is that Margarito, has
a very tough fight ahead of him, and it is not a give in that he is
going to come out of this with a victory. As Paul Williams waits and
watches, Margarito seems to be lining up all his ducks, understanding,
that with these victories, Mayweather will be forced to face him, but I
can’t help but think, that maybe these types of battles, will diminish
some Margarito’s talent, before he gets his chance to face Mayweather
down the road. Much like Lennox Lewis waited a very long time, and
watched Holyfield battle with the best, and then fought him, when there
was nothing left. I guess only time will tell.
The Philadelphia Boxing Report
ESPN RADIO 920AM
Saturdays at 10am EST listen at
www.920espn.com |
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