Antonio Margarito

Antonio Margarito is a professional boxer. Antonio Margarito’s also progressed through the Welterweight World Championship ranks. From 2002 to 2007, he held the WBO belt, the IBF title in 2008, and the WBA (Super) title between 2008 and 2009.

Antonio debuted in professional boxing in 1994 at the age of 15 years old.

Antonio’s trainer-manager, Joe Valdez, forced him to play against old opponents at first, which slowed down his career.

Childhood

Antonio Margarito was born under the sign of Pisces on March 18, 1978, in Torrance, California, United States of America.

He spent his first two years of existence in Torrance, California, as the son of Margarito, Sr. and Consuelo Margarito.

Furthermore, Margarito grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, alongside his brother, Manuel Margarito.

Growing up in Tijuana meant being exposed to drugs and violence; nonetheless, Margarito was unconcerned because of his family’s well-being.

Antonio, according to the source, was constantly eager to improve and do better, so he went to the gym with his brother.

His father worked as a night watchman and even sold lamps, according to reports.

Margarito first stepped into a boxing gym when he was just eight years old, thanks to his family’s strict discipline. Margarito had an 18-3 amateur record from the time he was a child.

Family and Siblings

After dropping out of junior high at the age of 15 due to the need for money, Margarito was boxing in the professional arena supported by his family.

After just four professional games, he quit boxing and settled with a family back to his older brother.

However, his happiness didn’t come along as just within four years, he had intruders in the house, shooting him dead.

Back then, he was with his family watching TV when he died, thus, leaving his eight months pregnant wife alone.

Body Measurements, Height, and Age

As of 2022, Antonio Margarito is 44 years old.

Apart from that, Antonio is a well-built athletic man who stands 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall and weighs 68 kg (144 pounds).

He also has a wrist that measures 7 and a half inches and is filled with muscles.

His skin is tan, and he has black eyes and hair.

Not to mention his intense workouts to obtain a toned physique.

Margarito goes to the gym a few times a week, and they are busy sparring before every game.

Workout

He wakes up early with the sun, jogs a little, and does workouts on his own.

Apart from his exercise, Margarito follows a strict diet that is limited in calories and fat, with a focus on high protein and consistency.

Facts of Antonio Margarito

Net Worth, Salary, and Endorsements

Antonio Margarito is estimated to have a $15 million net worth.

However, he makes over $2.5 million and a small percentage of the pay-per-view revenue as per the sources.

Likewise, he earns a fair amount through endorsements. Well-known brands and companies like clothing company Affliction have sponsored the fighter.

Professional Career

Antonio debuted in professional boxing in 1994 at the age of 15 years old.

Antonio’s trainer-manager, Joe Valdez, forced him to play against old opponents at first, which slowed down his career.

Welterweight

Margarito made his professional boxing debut in Tijuana, winning by decision over Jose Trujillo.

Similarly, his foremost career knockout came on April 25 over Victor Angulo in the second round.

A loss slapped into his face against Victor Lozoya with a couple of victories. Then, he lifted himself up with a victory against Alfred Ankamah, Juan Soberanes, Sergio Gabriel Martinez, Buck Smith, David Kamau, and Frankie Randall.

Additionally, he also became the first guy to defeat Julio César Chávez in 91 matches.

Following it, Margarito won himself the only chance to battle for the WBO Welterweight title at Bayamón, Puerto Rico’s Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum.

During that time, he confronted Daniel Santos, which went to an unpleasant accident as both their heads clashed openly. Thus, they ended the match as no contest.

WBO Welterweight Champion

Later, Margarito fought against Antonio Díaz at HBO Boxing for the WBO Welterweight Championship. Overall, he won the match and gained the title.

Afterward, he kept the title defended from Danny Perez Ramírez, Hercules Kyvelos, Kermit Cintron, Jaime Manuel Gomez, Joshua Clottey, and Andrew Lewis.

Likewise, he debuted in the middleweight division victory debut over Maurice Brantley in Phoenix, Arizona.

Similarly, he featured in the rematch against Daniel Santos, ending in a head clash incident.

However, the game was over four matches this time, and Santos won the match by a split ten-around technical decision.

Loss of WBO Welterweight Title

As he had crowned himself the world champion in 2002, Antonio stood undefeated by many.

However, on July 14, 2007, he lost his crown to Paul Williams in a 12-round unanimous decision. Margarito was not satisfied during the match, and Williams had landed more punches.

Antonio claimed the IBF Welterweight title from Kermit Cintron as he knocked him out in the sixth round after landing a liver shot with a title gone.

Margarito vs Miguel Cotto

Margarito faced WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico as a mandatory defense following his glorious win over the IBF Title.

On July 26, 2008, their match took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Margarito won via technical knockout in the 11th round.

Altogether, at that date, Margarito had maintained 37 wins, 5 losses, and 1 no contest, with 27 wins by knockout.

Margarito vs Shane Mosley

On January 24, 2009, his big fight against Shane Mosley came over the Lineal Welterweight Championship of Lineal Champs and Cyber Boxing Zone (CBZ).

However, the most celebrated match digs in as a loss to Margarito.

After getting knocked out in the 9th-round by technical knockout, Margarito even failed to defend his WBA title.

Later, Margarito opened up about his weight-drained situation during the match because of dehydration and back problems.

Margarito vs Roberto Garcia

After his knockout loss, Margarito was surrounded by controversies, which kept him away from the ring for 2009.

Later, he made his comeback fight on May 8, 2010, against the light-middleweight contender Roberto García.

Margarito won the tenth round via unanimous decision when the match was held at Aguascalientes, Mexico. As a matter of fact, this game came as the only knockdown loss in Garcia’s boxing career.

Margarito vs Manny Pacquiao And Eye Injury

Before fighting against Garcia, Margarito expressed his wish to face the Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao.

The same wish finally came true with the match on November 13, 2010. Furthermore, the match was first announced by Bob Arum on July 23.

After Margarito claimed his boxing license, the match took place in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

As for the fight’s preparation, Margarito had Karim Martínez, Cleotis Pendarvis, Austin Trout, and Ricardo Williams as the sparring partner.

When the match was advanced, Pacquiao dominated Margarito in the most brutal ways for 12 rounds.

Margarito suffered a bad eye injury by the end of the match and then lost the match via a unanimous decision.

Later on, he underwent eye surgery to repair a fractured right eye socket.

Right after the fight, when Margarito was taken in an emergency, he was discovered with a left orbital bone fractured. Overall, he had his surgery after two days due to his swollen face.

Margarito vs Cotto II

Altogether, Margarito’s next fight came on December 3, 2011, against Miguel Cotto, after which he retired from the boxing arena. The match was a loss via TKO, and he even had his right eye swelled up and shut.

Learn more about his career and fight record on Boxrec.

Retirement, Comeback, and Highlights

After a loss match and nearly not getting the boxing license, Margarito announced his retirement from the arena the same year.

After 22 years of his dedication, controversies pending, and incidents, Margarito bid goodbye to the field due to his slowly breaking body.

Later, Margarito returned for the arena fight in 2016. He fought against Carson Jones, Ramon Alvarez, and Jorge Páez Jr.

Furthermore, the boxer won all three matches through Technical Draw, Split Decision, and Unanimous Decision, respectively.

Controversies

How Was Antonio Cheating With Tampered Hand Wraps?

Following the fight with Shane Mosley, Margarito was surrounded by controversy. After Mosley’s trainer, Naazim Richardson found a pasty white substance.

According to the doctor, the substance was a plaster hidden in his hand. The news sparked rumors of cheating.

Therefore, California State Inspector Dean Lohuis asked Margarito to re-wrap his hands and even took two pads in a sealed box in the dressing room.

After the investigation continued, they finalized it to be the plaster material. Overall, Margarito had stated he did not have any idea about the case, while his trainer Javier Capetillo admitted it was his mistake.

Thus, there were plans to revoke their license for a year because of cheating. Nevertheless, the plans were later upheld after knowing Margarito was unaware.

Margarito vs. Mosley

Altogether, the California State Athletic Commission suspended Margarito for the time being.

Later, in November, a similar case appeared in a fight against Cotto, only that time as a red stain. In addition to that, they doubted Margarito’s gloves to be loaded for the fight.

Mocking Parkinson’s Disease

Five weeks before the fight against Manny Pacquiao, Margarito was together with the boxer Brandon Rios during a video interview by Elie Seckbach.

Both together, they mocked Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach for having Parkinson’s disease.

Following it, they were heavily criticized for their behavior, and thus, they made an apology before the fight.

All in all, their public apology was to Roach and everyone suffering from Parkinson’s.

Personal Life

Antonio Margarito had a doubtful and controversial career, not to mention, that his life events didn’t come in any easier.

If we count from today’s date, it has crossed a decade and more since he lost his brother Manuel.

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Wife and Kids

Antonio has married twice. Initially, he was married to his childhood girlfriend Michelle in 1999. However, their relationship didn’t last long.

Hence, they parted ways in 2011.

As of now, he resides happily in Los Angeles, California, with his second-wife Lorena Vidales.

Besides that, he has two kids, namely Margarito Jr. and Antonella Margarito.

Social Media Presence

His Instagram has 4932 followers and his Twitter has 9.3k followers.