Former WBA, WBO and IBF welterweight champion Antonio Margarito has been cleared by his eye doctors to continue his boxing career after undergoing close to four years of eye therapy following his gruesome fight against Manny Pacquiao in 2010.
Margarito’s left eye was severely injured during the fight which resulted to a fractured orbital bone. Margarito had to undergo a delicate eye surgery following his loss to Pacquiao. Less than a year after undergoing major eye surgery, Margarito fought Miguel Cotto in a rematch but lost via TKO after the ring physician ordered the stoppage of the fight in the 10th round due to severe swelling. Margarito is looking at a possible fight this November of December. But even before disclosing his next opponent, he wants to make sure that he gets an experienced and reliable trainer. Margarito has reportedly contracted veteran trainer Robert Garcia to handle his training. ?I already spoke with Robert, I want to train with him, I am already training with someone else in San Diego, we have coordinated very well together, but I know if I want that big fight I need to be with Robert, first I would like to train 3 more months, and then have a tune-up fight before seeking a big fight,? Margarito told Mediotiempo.com via boxingnews24.com “I don?t want to come back with a world title fight, I know I have to demonstrate myself, that is why I want 1 or 2 fights, I feel good, physically I have responded very well, my eye is doing well, so I shouldn?t have a problem coming back to the 154 lbs which is my goal.? Margarito added. While Margarito is again eyeing another showdown with Cotto and Shane Mosley down the road, he needs to do one or two tune up fights before going for another title fight. Margarito is still fighting under Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions and for his tune-up fights, there are at least three fighters in Arum’s stable who can give him not just a tune up but a real good fight. Mike Alvarado (34-4-0, 23 KOs) While Alvarado has lost three fights in a row since his unanimous decision win against Brandon Rios in 2013, he could give Margarito a tough fight. Alvarado stands 5’9″ just two inches short of Margarito’s 5’11” with just a inch difference in reach at 73″ for Margarito and 72 for Alvarado. It’s hard to say however if Alvarado would be capable of moving up to 154 pounds that Margarito is targeting for his next fight. Alvarado has fought at 147 but there is no record on him fighting at 154. It appears that Alvarado is available for the intended fight of Margarito in November of December. Glen Tapia (23-2-0, 15 KOs) Glen Tapia and Margarito are evenly matched. Both fighters stands 5’11” with the same 73 inches reach. Like Margarito,Tapia is a natural middleweight and has held the 154 pound NABO Jr. middleweight title with his TKO win against Daniel Dawson last March. Tapia is coming off a TKO loss (second career loss) against Michel Soro at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ last May 8. No report of Tapia signing up with an opponent for his year rend fight. Jessie Vargas (26-1-0, 9 KOs) If Jessie Vargas is willing to move up to 154, he can be a good tune up fight for Margarito. Vargas, who is coming of a unanimous decision loss (his first) to Timothy Bradley, stands 5’11,” the same height with Margarito and is just an inch shorter in reach at 72.” Before his loss to Bradley, Vargas was included in Pacquiao shortlist of possible opponents prior to the Mayweather fight. These three fighters are all stablemates of Margarito at Top Rank and it would be easy for Arum to get them up in the ring without the usual lengthy and tedious fight negotiations with contending promoters.
