Antonio Margarito is so confident in a victory against Manny Pacquiao, that he’s agreed to forfeit all the proceeds from his Affliction sponsorship if he loses.
Margarito has been sponsored by the Affliction clothing line for his last three bouts against Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, and Roberto Garcia. Previously, both parties would re-negotiate the sponsorship agreement after every fight. Margarito’s latest proposition was agreed to by Affliction, who are set to give the fighter an undisclosed portion of the sponsorship fee if he wins. Margarito, who has been looking sharp in sparring, says he has no doubts that he will knock out Pacquiao.
“I have full confidence that I am going to beat Manny Pacquiao and this deal I have made with Affliction reinforces that confidence,” Margarito said. “The look of the Affliction clothing is perfect for my boxing style and I appreciate that they are willing to continue to support me for this fight. I will be taking their money home too.”
Affliction is the only high-profile brand that’s continued to work with Margarito despite the controversy around his name. Many believe Margarito should be banned from the sport due to a 2009 suspension for attempting to use illegal hand wraps against Shane Mosley. Margarito continues to steadfastly deny knowledge of the crime, blaming his former trainer Javier Capetillo.
While not discussing their stance on if Margarito is guilty, Affliction does believe the former welterweight champion is entitled to a second chance. They argue that his “all or nothing” gamble shows that Margarito still has his fighting spirit.
“Affliction believes in giving people second chances and Margarito deserves that opportunity with this fight and our support of his efforts,” explained Tom Atencio, head of Affliction’s Entertainment & Sports Marketing department. “For his part, Margarito, who was once one of the most feared boxers in the welterweight class, has a lot at stake in the upcoming match. He fights not only for the WBC title, but also for his reputation and the respect of fans. Although he is under a lot of scrutiny, his decision to not play things safely shows heart, and there’s something to be said for that kind of determination.”
Antonio Margarito will be prominently displaying his Affliction gear throughout HBO’s 24/7 series, which debuts this Saturday (October 23) at 10:30 PM.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 