Changing his reputation might be a tougher challenge for Antonio Margarito than beating Manny Pacquiao.
"A lot of people already think bad of me, and I can't change their opinions," Margarito said.
State inspectors caught Margarito with plaster-hardened hand wraps before his January 2009 title fight against Shane Mosley at Staples Center. The wraps were confiscated, Margarito lost the fight, his title and his reputation.
The California State Athletic Commission revoked Margarito's license for more than a year.Margarito is now training for his first fight in the U.S. since his suspension. But his Nov. 13 opponent, Pacquiao, believes Margarito knew his wraps had been tampered with.
Margarito contends he's an innocent party to deception conducted by his since-fired trainer Javier Capetillo. "There's never been a shred of evidence Antonio knew what was in there," Margarito's promoter Bob Arum said.
What is clear is that Margarito's reputation has taken a pummeling.
Margarito followed a tough 2007 decision loss to Paul Williams at Carson with three consecutive knockouts — including a vicious beating of previously unbeaten world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.
Cotto, and another opponent who lost to Margarito, suggested he relied on loaded gloves to beat them.
"It really hurt to hear and read what people were saying about me," Margarito, 32, said. "I've tried to let people know this was not my doing. I was innocent."
In the Staples Center's dressing room where the plaster was seized, state inspector Dean Lohuis said Margarito was "indignant" about accusations that he knew there was something amiss with his hand wraps. "I don't believe he knew," Lohuis said.
Capetillo declined to be interviewed.
"They were my hands, and I should have been more aware what was in there," Margarito said. "But because Capetillo had been around me so long, the trust was there … Knowing I might not be able to step into the ring again, that was the low moment."
After being suspended, Margarito retreated home to Tijuana with his wife, Michelle.
"I did what I had to do as a spouse," Michelle said. "Support him, give him his space."
Margarito established a routine of waking early and meeting a group of six schoolchildren outside his home, driving them in his pickup to a nearby track to run, mentoring the boys — even if that seems mind-boggling to those who don't buy his hand-wraps account.
Out of habit, he'd also make routine visits to a small Tijuana home with an antiquated boxing ring in its basement, putting himself through the familiar paces. He was unsure what for, except that he knew little else.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., Arum failed to overturn California's banishment.
So Arum scheduled a May 8 comeback bout in Mexico for Margarito, and he won in a lackluster decision. But no U.S. boxing commission expressed interest to let him return. California even extended its license revocation over the summer, chiding Margarito for training for his Mexico fight in the U.S. without a sparring permit.
However, after Arum failed to put together a super-fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., the promoter turned to Margarito.
Arum had Nov. 13 reserved at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and decided to pair Pacquiao, the world's top pound-for-pound fighter, against boxing's most controversial figure, Margarito, the Mexican anti-hero who had once been hailed as the country's next great star.
The Texas boxing commission, unquestionably swayed by the dollar signs, delivered Margarito a license.
Now, Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts) is seeking a record eighth weight-class title, and is an 8-1 favorite to beat Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) in the junior-middleweight bout.
"So much to gain," Margarito's manager, Sergio Diaz, says of the bout. "So much to lose."
If Margarito loses, it will reaffirm a belief he can't win without plaster; a victory can help clear his name.
"I guess they were thinking it's an easy fight against a guy with a lot of issues and a lot of weight on his shoulders," Margarito said. "They chose the wrong time to pick me as an opponent."
Margarito has nearly a five-inch height advantage over Pacquiao, who was fighting at 140 pounds in May 2009. The fighters have agreed to a weigh-in catch weight of 150 pounds.
Margarito says he's eager to take the fight to Pacquiao. Margarito believes his size advantage will allow him to bully the Filipino superstar and believes the smaller man's punches won't be devastating.
New trainer Robert Garcia is impressed by Margarito's commitment to the cause — his five-mile runs up Mt. Baldy early in camp, his thunderous treatment of the speed and body bags and, most important, Margarito's mission to redeem his name in thoroughly scrutinized hand wraps.
"I know many of those who once supported me have stopped. I know it will be hard to change opinions," Margarito said.
"But I believe winning this fight will change my life. I have the will to prove to everyone that I am a real champion."
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
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Copyright © 2010, Los Angeles Times
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