GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—He’ll die fighting.
This was the firm declaration of Antonio Margarito Monday (Tuesday in Manila) as he vowed not to repeat what Oscar de La Hoya did when he fought Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
De La Hoya, then the face of boxing, did not answer the bell in the ninth round and ultimately announced his retirement from the ring the following year.
“The difference is between the two of us,” Margarito, who was born in Torrance, California, told Ernest Gabion of BoxingScene.com. “I’m a true Mexican. I will die in the ring. I will not quit.”
Actually, both Margarito and De La Hoya, who hails from Montebello, California, were not born in Mexico, but Margarito is more closely identified with Mexicans owing to his attacking fighting style.
A huge 5-1 underdog against Pacquiao, the bigger, taller Margarito also promised to regain his reputation and redeem the honor of Mexican fighters who have been humbled by the Filipino pound-for-pound king.
The 32-year-old Margarito got suspended from fighting after his hand wraps were found out to have a hardening substance when he tangled with and got beaten by Shane Mosley in 2009.
Margarito, who has trained long and hard for his fight against Pacquiao, arrived here ahead of Pacquiao on Monday by commercial flight from Los Angeles.
Encouraged by the warm reception accorded him in a public appearance in Dallas and an open workout in Fort Worth, Margarito promised to come up with a surprise performance.
“I’m going to do everything. I’m going to give my heart. I’m going to do everything to beat Manny Pacquiao.”
Margarito, who’ll work out at the Longhorn Exhibit Hall of Gaylord Wednesday, said he’d be ready for Pacquiao’s vaunted hand speed and footwork and regain Mexican pride.