If you speak with North Philadelphia?s Naazim Richardson, he will tell you that Antonio Margarito has embraced the villain role bestowed upon him in recent years. Strangely enough, it?s Richardson who has played a big part towards the perception of Margarito changing.
Known best for his work with light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins, Richardson took on the role of head trainer for five-time champion Shane Mosley in late 2008 as he prepared for a January 24th fight with Antonio Margarito. Margarito was coming off of his biggest win as a professional, having stopped then-WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto months earlier with a thrilling, come-from-behind TKO, and the Tijuana fighter was a clear favorite heading into the contest.
But the fight didn?t play out as expected, as Mosley pulled out what will likely be his last great performance as he pelted Margarito with power shots at will, registering a 9th round TKO of his inside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Adding to the demoralization, Margarito would be suspended by the California State Athletic Commission following his loss after it was discovered in his dressing room before the bout that he had plaster-coated inserts in his hand wraps.
