Rhodes - It's Margarito time
Ryan Rhodes believes he is close to a dream showdown with disgraced Mexican Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC world light-middleweight title.
Margarito made a triumphant return to the ring in May after his license was revoked for 12 months for attempting to fight Shane Mosley with an illegal plaster-like substance placed inside his hand wraps. Though his reputation has been forever tainted by the scandal, the 32-year-old remains a major draw and Rhodes hopes he will be in the opposite corner for his second attempt at winning a world title.
"Margarito is number one with the WBC and I'm number two. It's a dream fight for me and it looks like it can happen if I win on September 18 (against Lukas Konecny) ," he said.
"Margarito is an unbelievable fighter, though not as strong and aggressive as when he was at welterweight.
"I'd be too fast and too strong for him. I campaigned for seven or eight years at middleweight and more than held my own.
"Fighting him is a mouth-watering prospect and would be a dream fight for me.
"He hasn't reapplied for his license to fight in the United States but of course I'd go to Mexico to face him.
"There's a shadow over his win against Miguel Cotto because of his ban after the Mosley fight, but it was a lovely fight to watch but terrible to be involved in.
"By the end of this year I should be fighting for a world title, preferably against Margarito for the WBC belt."
Rhodes defends his European light-middleweight belt against Konecny in Birmingham as part of Frank Warren's 'The Magnificent Seven' bill. Staged at the LG Arena, the event features a host of title fights with Nathan Cleverly, Kell Brook, Michael Jennings, James DeGale, Enzo Maccarinelli and Derek Chisora among those in action.
Date published :
01 Jul 2010 - 16:51:52
