Margarito in training to make comeback at 154-pounds

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Antonio MargaritoFormer welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito (38-8, 27 KO’s) is in training to make a comeback at 154-pounds later this year, according to mediotiempo.com.

After receiving approval from his family to return to the sport, Margarito began to train with a trainer in San Diego and plans to return to Robert Garcia when he’s ready to do so.

Margarito initially retired in June 2012 after a couple tumultuous years in the ring. After he had picked up an upset win against Miguel Cotto to claim the WBA welterweight title in July 2008, Margarito was busted before his title defense against Shane Mosley the following year with loaded gloves.

Mosley’s trainer at the time, Naazim Richardson, was in Margarito’s dressing room to observe the hand wrapping procedure where he noticed a substance in Margarito’s wrapping that set off a red flag.

Richardson alerted someone from the California State Athletic Commission, and that individual found that the substance caused the wraps to harden into a plaster-like shell.

As a result, Margarito’s hands were re-wrapped, and he later went on to get obliterated by Mosley. What seemed like an incredible underdog story following the Cotto triumph, turned into an incredible nightmare for the Mexican star.

Margarito, along with former trainer Javier Capetillo, were suspended for a year. When he returned in May 2010, he beat Roberto Garcia for the WBC International light-middleweight title, before he was savagely beaten by Manny Pacquiao to the point that he required facial surgery.

Miguel Cotto, who firmly believed that Margarito used loaded gloves in their fight after images surfaced of Margarito’s gloves after their clash showing the discoloration of his hand wraps, the Puerto Rican wanted revenge, and he got it.

Margarito wants a title shot, but he knows he’s in no shape for that just yet. He is going to need at least a couple tune-up fights. At the age of 37 and having been out of the ring for nearly four years – that’s not going to be an easy task.

“I don’t want to comeback with a world title fight. I know I have to demonstrate myself. That is why I want one or two 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 154-pounds, which is my goal,” Margarito said.

“I already spoke with Robert [Garcia]; 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 for three more months, and then have a tune-up fight before seeking a big fight.”

Does Margarito stand a chance? You be the judge.