Getting to know Antonio Margarito

Born on March 18, 1970 in Torrance, California an American Boxer of Mexican blood and currently residing in Tijuana, Mexico.  Antonio Margarito is a former World Boxing Association Welterweight Champion (WBA), former International Boxing Federation Champion (IBF) and former World Boxing Organization Champion (WBO).  Once feared by many boxers after a big upset and a huge controversial fight on January 24, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California against Sugar Shane Mosley.  Where Margarito was caught by Shane Mosley's trainer Naazim Richardson with an illegal hand-wrap on his fist before the fight started.  Antonio Margarito was stopped by Mosley by a Knock Out on the 9th round of the fight.

Antonio Margarito entered professional Boxing career at the age 15.  His desire to win and money was what made him work more harder.  His first fight was a win against Jose Trujillo in Tijuana on January 14, 1994 by a Decision. Margarito had his first Knockout win against Victor Angulo in the 2nd round on April 25, 1994.  Antonio Margarito had his first lost on October 17, 1994 against Victor Lozoya.

On the year 1995, Margarito came back on a more stronger and hungrier. Winning  against Efrain Munoz in Tijuana Mexico on January 26, 1995.  It was a successful year for Margarito winning all three of his fight on this year.

Facing Larry Dixon on February 26, 1996, Margarito had his second lost.  But after the lost, he went on a winning streak having a record of 28 wins with 2 defeat and 1 no contest.  One of the boxer on that list was Frankie Randall, a former World Jr. Welterweight Champion who also was the first man to beat Julio Cesar Chavez in 91 fights.

Antonio Margarito had his first world title against Daniel Santos on July 21, 2001 for the WBO Welterweight Title in Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.  But the fight was stopped as both fighter was sent to a nearby Hospital due to and accidental class of heads.  The fight was declared as a No Contest for the fight hadn't reached the fourth round as stated on boxing's rule book and Santos retained the belt.

Santos vacated WBO world Welterweight belt and pursue a career at the Jr. Middleweight Division.  Antonio Margarito was then assign to fight with Antonio Diaz for the vacant WBO Welterweight world crown on March 16, 2002,  and won the fight by a Knockout over Diaz in round ten.  Margarito defended the crown against Danny Perez on October 12, 2002 in Anaheim, California.  Then with a Andrew Lewis on February 8, 2002 in Las Vegas by a Technical Knockout. 

Margarito decided to go up in the Jr. Welterweight Division where he made his first debut against Maurice Brantley in Phoenix, Arizona on October 17, 2003.  Margarito dominated the fight with a knockout win.

In 2004 Margarito retained his Welterweight belt with a second round knockout against the undefeated Hercules Kyvelos of Canada on January 31in Phoenix, Arizona.  On this year, Margarito had a rematch with Daniel Santos on September 11.  The fight still ended with a head-butt, this time the fight went down to the score cards.  Margarito loss the fight by a split decision ten round technical decision.

But on the year 2005 Margarito had a great fight against undefeated Puerto Rican Kermit Cintron on April 23.  He retained his WBO world Welterweight crown knocking out Cintron in the 5th round.

On 2006, Margarito face Manuel Gomez on February 18.  He retained his title with a first round Knockout.  Margarito then face Joshua Clottey on December 2, 2006.  Margarito won by a 12 round unanimous decision and set an all time record 1675 total punches thrown in  a twelve round bout that day.

On July 14, 2007 Antonio Margarito face the undefeated Challenger Paul Williams to which Margarito loss the bout by a 12 round decision.  Williams had an average 100 punches per round on that fight.

Margarito and Cintron  who had the IBF Welterweight belt had a rematch on April 12, 2008 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Margarito won the IBF belt with an impressive body shot over Cintron in the sixth round.  On July 26, 2008 Antonio Margarito then face off with the undefeated Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Cotto dominated the early rounds in the fight but Margarito manage to fight back late in the rounds.  Miguel Cotto had the face of exhaustion and gave up on the 11th round.  Miguel Cotto had his first lost to Margarito.

On January 24, 2009 the most controversial fight of Margarito happen against Sugar Shane Mosley to where he was found with an illegal plaster on his gloves.  Margarito was Knocked out by Mosley.  Prior to the fight, Antonio Margarito was then suspended by the California State Athletic Commission.  Margarito claim to have not know about the said wraps on his gloves as his trainer Javier Capetillo admitted having a big mistake.

Margarito's latest fight was early this year on May 8, 2010 to where he faced Roberto Garcia for the WBC International light middleweight title in a 10 round bout.  Margarito won the fight.  On July 9, 2010 Margarito applied for a license in Nevada to which he was granted.  

With the Dream Fight fading away, Antonio Margarito is set to fight the Filipino Superstar and Sarangani Congressman, Rep. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao on November 13, 2010 with the event is still undecided.