Back in August, word came out that American-born Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito was contemplating on a ring return.
Remember that Margarito was forced into retirement back in 2010 due to an injury to his right eye. The said eye was severely damaged after Margarito’s fight against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.
Margarito continued to fight in 2011, going up against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto but it seemed that such made his eye condition worse. His eye began to swell just within a few rounds and the fight was eventually stopped in the ninth round by the ringside physician.
Now, and almost five years later, Margarito claims that he has gotten medical clearance and that his eye is 100 percent healthy.
“I’m more than happy to help him if he needs my help. I would support him all the way, but it’s his decision” says Margarito’s former trainer Robert Garcia via boxingscene.com
Apparently the two are still in touch and Garcia even goes on to claim that Margarito, 37, is in pretty good shape. In fact he believes that Margarito is even capable of competing in the junior middleweight division.
Margarito is already hitting the gym once more with Garcia and it seems that getting more people on board is the only thing left. And it looks like co-manager Sergio Diaz as done just that by reaching out to Top Rank on behalf of the ‘Tijuana Tornado’.
However, Top Rank wants to make certain first that Margarito is indeed fit and healthy.
”They won’t allow him to fight - at least for Top Rank - if his eye is not 100-percent. So we're going up to Utah to visit Dr. (Alan) Crandall, who's one of the best in opthomology and Top Rank wants a full check-up on that eye” says Garcia via boxingscene.com.
Apparently it all boils down to the actual state of Margarito’s eye but an affirmation that it is 100 percent healthy should pave the way for Margarito’s comeback.
Who will the Tijuana Tornado face just in case?
A previous post did mention that Margarito was seriously looking to face the winner of the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto which takes place this November 21.
"Yes of course I would go to against one of them, but I know that I must prove that I can compete at that level, I'm not worried because I know I'm to give good fights, I just need the chance to prove it," says Margarito.
With all that in mind and if Margarito is indeed determined to make a comeback at 37, there is just one thing probably left, medical clearance for his injured eye and the rest will follow.