Speaking at a press conference this week in LA ahead of his charge Miguel Cotto’s latest test in the ring against James Kirkland nextmonth, Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach has had strong words for one of the Puerto Rican boxing legend’s ex-opponents.
Miguel Cotto and Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito shared the ring for the first time back in 2008.
The fight resulted in a stoppage defeat for Cotto and afterwards, and indeed years later, considerable dispute and controversy for another reason for an alleged incident that happened during the fight.
Speaking this week in LA at a press conference Freddie Roach thinks that Margarito should have faced tougher penalties after the fight and a subsequent incident years later – and said to the media in attendance at the press conference that:
“It’s just an issue that I think honestly he should be in jail for attempted murder. I mean it was like, the penalty wasn’t enough for me at least. But the thing is I saw Miguel (Cotto) comeback from that, and it was a great comeback. He gets stronger and stronger everyday in the gym. Back when we first started after that fight, we did have days that were maybe bad days and after a while with positive thinking and positive people around him he told me that’s all gone now and I’m glad to see that. He’s working great everyday.”
Cotto and Margarito went on to share the ring a second time afterwards, on that occasions with Cotto exacting revenge and stopping Margarito inside the distance in New York in 2011, notably landing a huge amount of left hooks on the night.
Fast forward six years and Cotto finds himself on his travels to Texas next month – when he takes on big hitting James Kirkland on pay per view on February 25th.
For Roach’s comments above at this week’s press conference in LA check them out here via Fight Hype YouTube (hat tip and credit):
Freddie Roach thinks Margarito should be in jail
