Antonio Margarito spoke with El Nuevo Dia (hat tip to BoxingScene.com) and said, "It hurts me, because this is pure gossip. I have earned my fights."
Margarito is not "guilty" of anything yet, but this is more than gossip. There are substantiated reports, have been since before the fight against Mosley started, and there is an ongoing CSAC investigation with a scheduled hearing for which Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo must appear.
But I'm a firm believer that there are two sides to the story, and I wanted to at least point out that Margarito is talking a little bit and hasn't gone into hiding or anything of that nature.
For the record, and I probably haven't been clear about this, I hope it comes back that it was a misunderstanding, the investigation clears Margarito for wrongdoing, and we can all put this behind us. The court of public opinion will never let Margarito forget this, probably. There are a lot of people that won't ever let it go, even if Antonio is totally cleared. You can't un-ring the bell. It's just how it goes. It sucks, but it's reality.
But I can promise that if Margarito is cleared, you'll never see me question him about this incident again. Period. And I want him to be cleared, because (1) the sport doesn't need this, and (2) I like Margarito a lot as a fighter. The latter part is selfishness on my behalf, and I don't care. I've enjoyed watching Margarito fight over his career and I don't want his name disgraced.
Still, it would be foolish to not admit that right now, it doesn't look too good.
I hate this story. I really do.