Anyone who watched Manny Pacquiao’s dominating performance can attest that Antonio Margarito is one tough hombre. Margarito who lost after 12 rounds of a brutal fight to Pacquiao, looked really beat up (mostly thanks to a broken right orbital). Many watching at home and at ringside felt the fight should have been stopped to risk Margarito from further damage. Let’s face it… it probably would have been a good call, but I am personally glad it wasn’t called off. Especially after reading the latest report coming from TMZ.com.
According to TMZ, it seems Margarito’s corner wanted to throw in the towel, and against their best wishes, Margarito refused. Talk about a freakin warrior!
Sergio Diaz Jr., who is Margarito’s manager, and a man well respected in the boxing community, really wanted to throw in the towel. He tells TMZ that he actually pleaded with Margarito to have the fight stopped, but Margarito would have no such thing.
Sergio tells TMZ that Margarito was persistent in wanting no one other than the final bell to end the fight. Apparently it was very hard for the team to accept but they ended up respecting his wishes.
TMZ quotes Diaz who is blaming himself for not taking “more responsibility” and, “I have to sit down with (Antonio). We can?t let this go on next time.”
I can understand why Diaz is kicking himself over the whole ordeal (boxing is dangerous), and a better line of communication and understanding for the next time is a very good thing… but I honestly think over time Diaz will find peace in the fact that he listened to Margarito. If he had stopped the fight against Margarito’s wishes… that would have stayed with him for a very long time. With all that being said, yes I am very glad things did not turn out worse for Margarito…. but man, what a Warrior!
For much more on Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao, visit the homepage here at Doghouse Boxing now.
