Antonio Margarito is in the best shape of his life to face Manny Pacquiao next month, according to new trainer Robert Garcia.
Garcia has taken over from Javier Capetillo after the latter bore the brunt of the blame for Margarito's hand-wrapping scandal that saw the boxer banned for 12 months.
The Mexican has fought only once since being found to have 'loaded' hand wraps following his defeat to Shane Mosley at the beginning of last year, claiming a lop-sided points victory over Roberto Garcia on his first outing at light-middleweight.
Margarito is still unable to fight in many American states but Texas provided a permit to take on Pacquiao at the Cowboys Stadium, and the 32-year-old is ready to cause an upset."We've got two weeks left, but we could be ready tonight," said Garcia. "He's right where I want him physically, and mentally, he says this is the best he's ever felt.
"Every single day when we're driving home in the morning after running, he tells me there's no doubt this fight is ours. I've never seen him like that before."
Stigma
Margarito admits he still carries the stigma of the scandal but hopes a victory on November 13 will right that wrong.
"It has been really hard but this is a great opportunity for me," said Margarito. "It has always been difficult for me. I have had great challenges but those things have turned me into the boxer I am."
The fighter claims Capetillo loaded the wraps without his knowledge, but Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach believes it happened on more than one occasion, notably in victories over Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron.
"It is evident he was loaded in some fights," Roach said. "After a fight what is the first thing a fighter wants to do? It is get the gloves off as quickly as possible.
"Against Cintron he kept the gloves on the whole time didn't take his gloves off until he got to the dressing room. So it makes me wonder."
Source: skysports.com
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