13th Round boxing news center

13thround: Antonio,Tell us a little about what you have been doing since your last fight against Manuel Gomez? Have you been enjoying your time off?

Antonio: I do try to enjoy my time off, but to tell you the truth, I'd rather be in the ring fighting. The only problem about being off so long, is that it gets to a point of frustration. I try to keep my myself busy by being in the gym, attend different boxing functions, and visit friends and family, but it still bothers me that I have to wait so long between fights.

13thround: The info I have states that your going to fight Joshua Clottey ( 29-1 w/18 KO's) in December, that's a tough guy to fight. Why did you decide to fight Clottey?

Antonio: Yes, it looks like I'll be fighting Joshua Clottey next. Clottey wasn't the opponent we hoped for, not because of his toughness, we were hoping for a bigger name. As you know, Mayweather turned down 8 million dollars to fight me, Winky turned down 5 million then made me an offer through Golden Boy to fight me, but at 158lbs when I fight at 147.

There were talks with Paul Williams' people, but they out priced themselves, and now they have to wait for the mandatory. Although Baldomir was available for a short while, I was very surprised, but mostly disappointed that Top Rank did not try to make the fight between us. We all know that a match between Shane and myself probably won't happen since we are both promoted by different companies who are at war with each other. We didn't have too many options to choose from. From the short list of opponents to choose from, Joshua Clottey who just signed with Top Rank stood out the most.

13thround: In his last outing Paul "The Punisher" Williams said he would like a fight with you, would you ever consider fighting Williams?, and if so would his height give you any types of problems. Most boxing experts feel that you two are the best guys out there.

Could there be a title fight against Paul Williams?

Antonio: Paul Williams is my mandatory, eventually we will have to fight. It could have been sooner rather than later, but Paul needs to realize and accept what he is worth. We could have fought in December, but he priced himself out of the fight. He's been calling me out on TV, newspapers, and internet, he's been saying he wants to fight me, but when it came down to it, he and his people turned the fight down because they felt they weren't getting paid enough. If he really believed he could beat me, he should have taken the fight, it was the opportunity to grab. Now he might have to wait for a purse bid that can work against him.

13thround: Clottey has never faced anybody of your caliber before yet nobody he has faced has been able to stop him, are you looking to end this bout by KO, to make a point to all your challengers?

Antonio: No not at all. If the ko comes, it will come. I never go into a fight looking for the knock out. The only time I did go into a fight thinking ko was in my last bout against Manuel Gomez. He talked too much. All he did was keep putting gas into the flames leading up to our bout. It became personal, and I gave my word to my team and media that I would knock him out. My job is not to knock this guy out, my job is to beat this guy and look impressive doing it.

13thround: Can you describe the complex process of getting fighters to unify their titles against you, how come the big fights just don't happen?

Antonio: That's a great question. One that I continue to ask and hope for a truthful answer. I don't know the true answer. I've been given so many answers that I just try not to think about it. We just keep going in circles with this issue. There is nothing more I would want to do than to unify the titles, unfortunately, the politics of the game get involved. Different champions with different promoters, no one wants to make the phone call, no one wants to put up the money, they want guarantees, it's very complicating.

13thround: If you make make your own dream match up

Antonio Margarito vs. ? (who do you think your toughest fight would be against)

Antonio: Oscar De La Hoya! You can not take anything away from Oscar, he's fought them all, he been a champion in six different weight divisions. I really do not believe there will anyone else who will be able to accomplish what Oscar has done in boxing. Oscar is looking for a big fight, he wants to end his career with this fight. I really believe a fight between Oscar and myself is a mega fight. This is an exciting fight for the boxing world. Oscar's intelligence and experience against my youth and hunger. It's a toss up that will divide the our people leading and during the fight, but unite them after the fight. Julio Cesar Chavez gave him the opportunity, why won't he give me mine?

13thround: Antonio thanks so much for your time, do you have any parting words for your fans and what can we look forward to seeing on December 2?

Antonio: I want to thank all the fans for there support and patience. The one thing that has been putting smiles in my face is that I'm continually told that big things happen to those who are patient. We will get there, and once I'm there I will make you all proud. I also want to thank Ed and everyone from 13thround.com for the opportunity to be interviewed on your site.

Editor's Note: We would like to thank Sergio Diaz for setting up this great interview with the people's champ Antonio Margarito, also please visit Antonio's official website here www.antoniomargarito.com


	World Champ Antonio Margarito, 13thround.com Exclusive Interview
		Image taken by Doroteo Arango© / Interview by Diamond for 13thround.com©
		13thround: Antonio,Tell us a little about what you have been doing since your last fight against Manuel Gomez? Have you been enjoying your time off? Antonio: I do try to enjoy my time off, but to tell you the truth, I'd rather be in the ring fighting. The only problem about being off so long, is that it gets to a point of frustration. I try to keep my myself busy by being in the gym, attend different boxing functions, and visit friends and family, but it still bothers me that I have to wait so long between fights. 13thround: The info I have states that your going to fight Joshua Clottey ( 29-1 w/18 KO's) in December, that's a tough guy to fight. Why did you decide to fight Clottey? Antonio: Yes, it looks like I'll be fighting Joshua Clottey next. Clottey wasn't the opponent we hoped for, not because of his toughness, we were hoping for a bigger name. As you know, Mayweather turned down 8 million dollars to fight me, Winky turned down 5 million then made me an offer through Golden Boy to fight me, but at 158lbs when I fight at 147. There were talks with Paul Williams' people, but they out priced themselves, and now they have to wait for the mandatory. Although Baldomir was available for a short while, I was very surprised, but mostly disappointed that Top Rank did not try to make the fight between us. We all know that a match between Shane and myself probably won't happen since we are both promoted by different companies who are at war with each other. We didn't have too many options to choose from. From the short list of opponents to choose from, Joshua Clottey who just signed with Top Rank stood out the most. 13thround: In his last outing Paul "The Punisher" Williams said he would like a fight with you, would you ever consider fighting Williams?, and if so would his height give you any types of problems. Most boxing experts feel that you two are the best guys out there. Could there be a title fight against Paul Williams? Antonio: Paul Williams is my mandatory, eventually we will have to fight. It could have been sooner rather than later, but Paul needs to realize and accept what he is worth. We could have fought in December, but he priced himself out of the fight. He's been calling me out on TV, newspapers, and internet, he's been saying he wants to fight me, but when it came down to it, he and his people turned the fight down because they felt they weren't getting paid enough. If he really believed he could beat me, he should have taken the fight, it was the opportunity to grab. Now he might have to wait for a purse bid that can work against him. 13thround: Clottey has never faced anybody of your caliber before yet nobody he has faced has been able to stop him, are you looking to end this bout by KO, to make a point to all your challengers? Antonio: No not at all. If the ko comes, it will come. I never go into a fight looking for the knock out. The only time I did go into a fight thinking ko was in my last bout against Manuel Gomez. He talked too much. All he did was keep putting gas into the flames leading up to our bout. It became personal, and I gave my word to my team and media that I would knock him out. My job is not to knock this guy out, my job is to beat this guy and look impressive doing it. 13thround: Can you describe the complex process of getting fighters to unify their titles against you, how come the big fights just don't happen? Antonio: That's a great question. One that I continue to ask and hope for a truthful answer. I don't know the true answer. I've been given so many answers that I just try not to think about it. We just keep going in circles with this issue. There is nothing more I would want to do than to unify the titles, unfortunately, the politics of the game get involved. Different champions with different promoters, no one wants to make the phone call, no one wants to put up the money, they want guarantees, it's very complicating. 13thround: If you make make your own dream match up Antonio Margarito vs. ? (who do you think your toughest fight would be against) Antonio: Oscar De La Hoya! You can not take anything away from Oscar, he's fought them all, he been a champion in six different weight divisions. I really do not believe there will anyone else who will be able to accomplish what Oscar has done in boxing. Oscar is looking for a big fight, he wants to end his career with this fight. I really believe a fight between Oscar and myself is a mega fight. This is an exciting fight for the boxing world. Oscar's intelligence and experience against my youth and hunger. It's a toss up that will divide the our people leading and during the fight, but unite them after the fight. Julio Cesar Chavez gave him the opportunity, why won't he give me mine? 13thround: Antonio thanks so much for your time, do you have any parting words for your fans and what can we look forward to seeing on December 2? Antonio: I want to thank all the fans for there support and patience. The one thing that has been putting smiles in my face is that I'm continually told that big things happen to those who are patient. We will get there, and once I'm there I will make you all proud. I also want to thank Ed and everyone from 13thround.com for the opportunity to be interviewed on your site. Editor's Note: We would like to thank Sergio Diaz for setting up this great interview with the people's champ Antonio Margarito, also please visit Antonio's official website here www.antoniomargarito.com (Disclaimer) All Rights Reserved, Since 1999 "13th Round Online Promotions" www.13thround.com© Contact Us: