Thursday in Chihuahua, Mexico, the “Tijuana Tornado” Antonio Margarito (40-8-0, 27 KOs) and Carson Jones (40-11-3, 30 KOs) faced off in advance of their clash on Saturday night. The 39-year-old Margarito is aiming at a rubber match with archival Miguel Cotto, who just reclaimed the vacant WBO jr middleweight world title last Saturday. Cotto stated he will retire at the end of the year after one more big fight in December. Margarito wants that fight.
Antonio Margarito: “I’m at my best level in years and in condition to fight ten strong rounds. This fight is important for my plan to again become world champion. I want to fight Miguel Cotto in a third and final fight and Jones will not stop me.
“We are going to win in a clear way. The fans are going to see the best version of Margarito and we are going to give you a great fight…I had a great preparation without any problems. I feel like I’m at my best. Power, speed and rhythm are like when I was world champion. I hope Jones comes to fight and not to run, and the fans will see a great fight that I’ll win overwhelmingly.”
Carson Jones: “I’m a better boxer, more speed, better rhythm and youth compared to Margarito. I not only come to win, I come to get into the world rankings and to retire an icon of Mexican boxing.”