Former world welterweight champion (up to 66.7 kg) Mexican Antonio Margarito gave
interview for the American media.
In a conversation, he commented on the defeat of his compatriot, the absolute champion of the second middleweight (up to 76.2 kg) Saul Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) to the Russian “super champion” WBA light heavyweight (up to 79.4 kg) Dmitry Bivol (20 -0, 11 KOs). Antonio also expressed his opinion about a possible rematch between the boxers, a possible third fight of Canelo against the unified middleweight champion (up to 72.6 kg) Kazakhstani Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) and spoke about the greatest fighter in the history of Mexico .
– 79.4 kg is definitely not Canelo’s weight class. He went up and up in weight classes. He fought against an undefeated fighter, which is great. But this is not Canelo’s division.
He needs to get back to 76.2kg where he is really good. When he goes up and up in weight classes, of course, his strength is not the same. Therefore, he definitely needs to fight against other fighters. Bivol didn’t stand in front of Canelo, he boxed. He was a very difficult opponent. Therefore, this is definitely not his division.
What’s next for Canelo? What would you do in his place?
– If I were in his place, I would go down to 76.2 kg or 72.6 kg. There are a lot of big names at 76.2 kg. By the way, Benavidez asked for a duel. If I were Canelo, I would definitely go lower. Benavides would be a great fight.
— What can you say about the rematch with Bivol?
The same thing will happen in the rematch. I wouldn’t choose this option if I was Canelo. Because you saw, Canelo never shook Bivol. Therefore, the result will be the same. This is in my opinion. Someone said that if Canelo fought Bivol 100 times, it would be the same.
You know Canelo is not a tall guy. They need to look towards the middle and second middle divisions. To make the first middle would be too difficult, I think, but there are definitely a lot of big names in 72kg and 76kg. That’s all.
– And if the revenge with Bivol takes place at 76.2 kg?
“Now Bivol knows what Canelo will bring to the ring. Therefore, I definitely believe that even at 76.2 kg the result will be the same.
Canelo should get a rematch with Bivol, Golovkin is not needed – Ward
– They talked about the third fight with Golovkin. What do you think of it?
– As for GGG, it’s simple. If Canelo beats GGG, everyone will say he’s old. That’s all. I say again, a great fight will be with Benavidez. There is not only GGG, there are many other names. If he beats GGG, people will say he was too old.
– Canelo was offered a fight with Errol Spence at 74.4 kg. If he went for it, I think it would be a big fight.
– Once again, it makes no sense for him to move up in weight categories. If we talk about Spence at 74.4 kg, then you don’t know what will happen. Styles make fights. You don’t know what will happen. But it sure could be a great fight.
– Canelo continues to hold the first place in pound-for-pound?
– For me, he is now not the first pound-for-pound number, because he has already been beaten. If you’re trying to be number one, you have to be in your weight class. I respect that he climbed higher, but now for me he is not number one on this list.
Who is the greatest fighter in the history of Mexico? Could it be Canelo?
– The best for me and for many Mexicans is Julio Cesar Chavez. Once again, Canelo needs to give all the big name 76.2kg fighters the opportunity to fight him to see what happens. So far, Julio Cesar Chavez will be the greatest fighter for me if we are talking about the Mexicans.
Dmitry Bivol – about a possible rematch with Alvarez in a different weight