Margarito trainer Garcia seeks step up to elite status with fighter’s victory

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Freddie Roach's credentials as one of boxing's top trainers are irrefutable.

Robert Garcia is still building his resume.

Garcia hopes to add a career-defining victory Saturday when Antonio Margarito faces Roach's top fighter, Manny Pacquiao, for the vacant WBC super welterweight title at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

"It's a great opportunity for me. You always want to go against the best to see how you measure up, and there's no question we're facing the best in Manny Pacquiao," said the 35-year-old Garcia, a former IBF super featherweight world champion who has been training fighters since 2001 in his hometown of Oxnard, Calif.

Garcia also trains Brandon Rios, a lightweight who will fight on Saturday's undercard.

The trainer first joined Margarito's camp for his victory over Roberto Garcia on May 8 in Mexico. Margarito fired trainer Javier Capetillo after an illegal hand-wrapping incident in January 2009 that got Margarito a one-year suspension.

"He listens," Garcia said. "I'll see something and point it out to him and he does it. He's following orders. He does everything I tell him to. Most fighters who are three-time world champions think they're the boss. That hasn't been the case with Tony. We've become very good friends, and that's the way I like to do it with all my fighters, come over to my house, hang out and relax."

Garcia said he treats Margarito (38-6, 27 knockouts) the same as the other fighters he trains.

"He gets the same training," Garcia said. "Obviously, if I have a four-round fighter, he will get less sparring than what Tony would get for a championship fight. Everyone in Oxnard knows that all the fighters are happy and everyone gets the same treatment. Even with the magnitude of this fight, I keep the doors open to the gym."

Garcia said his ring experience gives him a better feel for training boxers.

"I know how to get a fighter to give his best," he said. "I know when a fighter is taking it easy, and I know when a fighter needs a day off. I did it for many years. But I know not to take all the credit."

Garcia this week has been taking blame for his participation in a video in which he, Margarito and Rios make fun of Roach, who has Parkinson's disease. Garcia called Roach on Thursday morning and profusely apologized.

"It's something I feel terrible about," Garcia said. "I never thought it would come out and the whole world would see it. I have so much respect for Freddie Roach, and I would never do anything to hurt him."

Roach told reporters Thursday he accepted Garcia's apology.

"I didn't talk to (Garcia) about the video," Roach said. "He said I was throwing stuff at them and they wanted to throw back at me. He said, 'You're the greatest trainer in the world; I know that. If I beat you, I know you'll still be the greatest. You've had way more champions than I have. You've always been good to me. You've always let me come to your gym,' which is true.

"He gave me what seemed like a very sincere apology. He told me I'd always opened my door to him, got him sparring partners and helped him along the way. I told him I accepted his apology and said to him, 'Let's just move on with the fight now.' "

Margarito and Rios also apologized at the undercard news conference Thursday at the Gaylord Texan Hotel, and Roach was willing to forgive Margarito as well.

Garcia said he didn't think the incident would be a distraction. But it obviously consumed his camp the past two days. Other than the video incident, Garcia said he couldn't be happier with Margarito's preparation for Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts).

"It's been a fun camp," he said. "Hard, strict, but fun. We had four great sparring partners, and all four did a great job preparing us for Pacquiao's speed. Pacquiao's the best fighter in the world. It's a big challenge for Margarito and for myself."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.