Antonio Margarito at a Glance
Antonio Margarito’s Net Worth: A Look at the Boxing Champion’s Career and Finances
Antonio Margarito, the Mexican-American boxer, achieved significant success in the world of professional boxing. This article delves into Antonio Margarito’s net worth, providing a detailed overview of his career, accomplishments, controversies, and the financial aspects of his life. From his early days to his championship fights and subsequent retirement, we explore the journey of this celebrated boxer.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Antonio Margarito Montiel, the future boxing star, was born on March 18, 1978, in Torrance, California. At the young age of two, his family relocated to Tijuana, Mexico, where he spent his formative years. It was in Tijuana where Margarito began to hone his boxing skills, often sparring with his brother. His amateur career, though relatively short, was marked by a commendable record of 18 wins and 3 losses, laying the foundation for his professional journey.
Professional Boxing Career Beginnings
Financial constraints played a significant role in Margarito’s decision to turn professional at the age of 15, earlier than planned. His debut fight was a victorious one against Jose Trujillo, secured by a decision. His early professional career included a knockout victory against Victor Angulo, showcasing his developing power. However, his first professional defeat came soon after, against Victor Lozoya. Despite this setback, Margarito’s determination led him to improve his record. After a period of relative inconsistency, his financial situation stabilized, and he embarked on a successful run, achieving a record of 28 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw in his next 31 bouts. During this period, he secured wins against notable competitors such as Sergio Martínez, David Kamau, Alfred Ankamah, and Frankie Randall, setting the stage for his future title challenges.
WBO Welterweight Title Reign
Margarito’s quest for a world title began in the summer of 2001 with a bout against Daniel Santos for the WBO welterweight title. Unfortunately, the fight ended prematurely in the first round due to a clash of heads that left both fighters with significant cuts, resulting in Santos retaining the title. Santos later vacated the title to move up in weight. Margarito got another chance to compete for the vacant welterweight title, facing Antonio Díaz. He delivered a knockout victory, finally claiming the WBO welterweight title. Margarito successfully defended his title against Danny Perez Ramírez, Andrew Lewis, and Hercules Kyvelos. His reign continued until 2007, when he lost the title to the undefeated Paul Williams.
Light Middleweight Challenges
In late 2003, Margarito ventured into the light middleweight division, making a strong debut with a knockout victory over Maurice Brantley. In 2004, he challenged his former rival Santos for the WBO light middleweight title but lost by technical decision.
IBF and WBA Welterweight Titles
In 2008, Margarito faced Kermit Cintron for the IBF welterweight title and won by a sixth-round knockout. The IBF then ordered him to fight a mandatory defense against Joshua Clottey, the organization’s top contender. Instead of facing Clottey, Margarito vacated the IBF title and agreed to fight WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. Their match was a memorable one, with Margarito overcoming an early deficit to win by a technical knockout in the 11th round. However, his reign as WBA welterweight champion was short-lived as he lost the title to Shane Mosley in early 2009.
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The Illegal Hand Wrap Scandal
The fight against Mosley in 2009 was marred by controversy. Mosley’s trainer discovered a suspicious white substance, later identified as calcium sulfate, in Margarito’s hand wraps. Calcium sulfate, when mixed with moisture, forms plaster of Paris, which is illegal in professional boxing. While Margarito claimed ignorance, he and his trainer were suspended, effectively barring them from competing in the United States. This scandal cast a shadow over Margarito’s victory over Cotto and raised questions about his previous fights.
Later Career, Comeback, and Retirement
Following a period away from the ring, Margarito made a comeback in May 2010, winning the vacant WBC international light middleweight title against Roberto García by unanimous decision. His next challenge was for the WBC light middleweight championship against Manny Pacquiao, which he lost by unanimous decision. He suffered heavy punishment during the fight and was rushed to the hospital immediately afterward. In late 2011, Margarito fought Miguel Cotto in a rematch. Cotto won by TKO after the doctor stopped the fight due to Margarito’s badly swollen right eye. Following this fight, Margarito announced his retirement from boxing. In 2016, he briefly came out of retirement, winning two matches in Mexico. He then secured another victory against Carson Jones in 2017.
Personal Life
Outside the ring, Margarito married his high school sweetheart, Michelle, in 1999. After their divorce, he married Lorena. The couple currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Antonio Margarito Net Worth: Final Thoughts
Antonio Margarito’s net worth is estimated at $15 million, a reflection of his successful boxing career, which spanned from 1994 to 2017. His journey, marked by title wins, controversial moments, and comebacks, has solidified his place in boxing history. While his career had its ups and downs, Margarito’s determination and skill made him a memorable figure in the sport.
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