By James Slater: A few days ago, news broke saying the career of Mexico’s Antonio Margarito was all but over due to how “Tony” had suffered a detached retina in his punishing loss to Manny Pacquiao last November. Margarito was badly banged up in the fight with Pac-Man, and his right orbital bone was broken and required surgery. It was easy to accept, then, that a detached retina could also have been suffered.
However, in speaking with radio show A Los Golpes last night, Margarito said such news is vastly premature, and that he is not yet looking at retiring from the sport he loves.
“I have not seen such news but I have been told that I had a detached retina and that I am going to retire,” Margarito said. “But those are just speculations. My retina is not detached. I have an appointment with Bob Arum’s doctor on Thursday. I am in the doctor’s hands. The only thing is, I cannot fight in September (the planned date for Margarito’s rematch with Miguel Cotto) because the doctor has not given me the green light and this is why I am going to see the specialist.
“100-percent, there is no retinal damage. I keep training. I have been sparring because the doctor said, ‘ok, start your sparring.’ Everything is fine with my eye.”
Margarito went on to say that although he is not in any way planning on retiring any time soon, he has to wait for the “green light” from the specialist he will visit with on Thursday before he can say for sure where his future lies.
It is clear, though, that the warrior is very much hoping he can fight again. Fans may have mixed emotions upon reading how “The Tijuana Tornado” may not be all done yet. Some fans said “good riddance” when reading of the reported retinal injury, while others said the man who will forever be known for the infamous 2009 hand-wraps scandal had paid his dues and didn’t deserve such a serious injury.
Now, with stories of his demise seemingly premature, Margarito continues to train, looking ahead to potential fights with Cotto and other names. Thursday of next week will prove to be a hugely pivotal day in the career of one of the 21st century’s most controversial boxers.