Robert Garcia on the Cotto Rematch & More!
“I do see Margarito finishing up, wearing Cotto down–and stopping him,” Robert Garcia says.
For the beloved Boricua idol, that would mean Antonio Margarito would stop Miguel Cotto–for a second time.
Margarito and Cotto will face each other once again in a long-anticipated rematch on December 3.
Embarking on a multi-city media blast, the two camps touched down Thursday in L.A. for the official news conference held at the Wilshire Grand Los Angeles. After visits in Puerto Rico, New York and Mexico City, the teams continued to greet the media and at this L.A. event.
The buzz is already building as the Mexican slugger takes on the Puerto Rican warrior in “Cotto–Margarito II” taking place in December at Madison Square Garden in New York.
This rematch–a fiery grudge match–should answer a lot of questions.
At this final stop in their media tour, I caught up with Margarito’s trainer, Robert Garcia. The well-regarded boxing trainer from Oxnard is a former champion himself and will be in the “Tijuana Tornado’s” corner once again. Garcia has been working with Tony since former coach Javier Capetillo had his license revoked for the hand wrap controversy. Robert has a stable of champions. He also trains Nonito Donaire, Mikey Garcia, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios, among many others.
Listen in on my chat with Garcia as he tells me what it was like to be booed by thousands of Puerto Rican Cotto fans, how Margarito’s eye has healed (after his collision with Manny Pacquiao), what it feels like being under all the scrutiny due to the handwrap scandal, and why he’s supremely confident in his fighter.
While the pair of pugilists don’t engage in too much public trash talking Robert also mentions to me how Miguel Cotto keeps a photo of Antonio Margarito’s infamous handwraps on his cell phone!
Speaking about being under the microscope while wrapping hands, Garcia addresses this topic as well, saying he is ready in knowing he’s done no wrong and always acts in a completely professional manner while working with both pros and amateurs.
“People see me–and treat me–like I was the one three years ago, the one to wrap Margarito three years ago–it wasn’t me!” the down-to-earth trainer shares with me. “I’ve done a great job with all of my fighters…Everywhere I go the Commission always says I do one of the best handwraps in the business. So I know I do a good job–I don’t need people pointing fingers pointing at me thinking I’m gonna do something wrong ’cause that’s not the way I work!”
And should Cotto defeat Margarito: WILL THEIR RIVALRY BECOME A TRILOGY?
You’ll have to watch the brand new video interview to hear what Robert Garcia has to say.
As their December clash builds, this is one feud fans will not want to miss.
“I do see the fight being a helluva of a fight just the way their first fight went,” the friendly Garcia says, looking toward December. “And I do see Margarito finishing up, wearing Cotto down–and stopping him.”
“Cotto–Margarito II,” promoted by Top Rank, Cotto Promotions and Tornado Promotions and will air live on HBO PPV.
Tickets: www.thegarden.com
Photo by Ray Flores
Robert Garcia Interview Link:
I to am waiting for this long awaited rematch. I hope this fight answers more questions that it raises
I cant wait for this fight. I want to see this more than Pacquiao vs Mayflower which I couldnt care less about at this point. FYI Cotto didnt bring up the pic on his phone, one of the reporters saw the pic and asked him about it.
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