Antonio Margarito said Tuesday in Beverly Hills that it's time to turn the page.
Appearing at the first of three press conferences to hype his Nov. 13 Cowboys Stadium title bout against Manny Pacquiao, the Mexican veteran was suitably low key, humble even, as he spoke to the assembled media.
"I want to thank Bob Arum for making this fight real," Margarito said.
"I have been asking for this fight for a long time.
"Everything that has happened in the past and we are now in the present.
"I want to show everyone I'm still a good fighter.
"Now is the present, let's forget about the past.
"I thank the Texas commission and the WBC for sanctioning this fight."
No big suprise to see Margarito looming large, a half head above the smaller Pacman, as they posed for photos.
Pacquiao was respectful to his opponent as he always is.
"It is going to be a great, great fight that the people will want to see. I believe Margarito has the cpabilities to give a good show. He fights impressively, aggressively and he is bigger and stronger than me.
"It's going to be a great, great fight on Nov. 13," Pacquiao said.
Some members of the Peanut Gallery also spoke.
In the absence of traveling Coach Freddie Roach, strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza took to the microphone briefly.
"We have a tough fight on our hands...Every (opponent) is bigger and stronger but, ultimately, Manny Pacquiao prevails.
"There's nothing despicable at all (about Margarito)," Ariza said. "It's going to be a war and probably, maybe the Fight of the Year."
Margarito trainer Robert Garcia expressed confidence in his man.
"Training Margarito is a great experience, he is very dedicated," Garcia said. "We go against Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao and Manny is a great fighter, a great champion.
"But we have a tremendous fighter in Antonio Margarito and we're going to make history."
Sergio Diaz, co-manager of Margarito, was also optimistic.
"I see the hunger in Antonio. Manny is a great fighter but he's going to have fight on Nov. 13. We really feel Mexico will have a new champion on that night," Diaz said.
Pacman agent Mike Koncz said the media is wrong to blame the Pinoy Idol for accepting Margarito as an opponent.
"I want to thank the media but I also want to scold the media," Koncz said.
"I think it is absurd. He (Margarito) was suspended and he served his suspension.
"It's over. If you're not going to support the fight, then don't criticize it."
Source: Examiner.com
