Antonio Margarito’s Trainer Says He’ll Wrap Fighter’s Hands in Front of Pacquiao

In an effort to dispel rumors that Antonio Margarito might try to load his hand wraps with illegal substance or objects when he squares off with Manny Pacquiao, trainer Robert Garcia said he will invite the Filipino boxer to watch him wrap Margarito’s hands.

Pacquiao said he will designate someone on fight night to closely watch Margarito’s hand wrapping before the bout for the vacant World Boxing Council super-welterweight title.

Robert Garcia, Margarito’s new trainer, said, “I’ll wrap those hands right in front of Manny Pacquiao himself if he wants to come watch.”

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum picked Margarito as Pacquiao’s opponent after the astute promoter failed to to make a deal with Floyd Mayweather, Jr for Pacquiao’s scheduled November fight.

During the press conference held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Pacquiao was asked about the hand wraps controversy and he said he believes Margarito knew of the loaded hand wraps.

“Of course, I believe Margarito knew, he is the one who wraps his hands” Pacquiao said.

Margarito’s choice as Pacquiao’s opponent drew firestorm from boxing fans around the world as they recall how Margarito figured in the illegal hand wraps controversy during his fight with Shane Mosley in January last year.

The controversy started when Shane Mosley fought Margarito almost two years ago at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Shane Mosley could have been badly injured or killed if his trainer and an Inspector of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) failed to discover a substance that was inserted inside Margarito’s gloves minutes before he climbed in the ring to face Mosley in January 2009.

The substance, it turned out, was Plaster of Paris inserted inside Margarito’s right hand glove.

The substance turns into a hard cast once it gets exposed. It becomes harder than rock and could definitely kill, especially when used with the boxer’s awesome power.

Margarito maintains he has no prior knowledge of the illegal hand wraps but boxing regulators and fans say otherwise.

In the meantime, his trainer Jose Capetillo, who admitted having placed the illegal substance inside Margarito’s hand wraps has been banned from boxing in the US for life.

Credits: Bleacher Report