By Scoop Malinowski

“You could feel the energy in the arena. I had the chills, I kept thinking to myself, One day I will be involved in an event of this magnitude.”

Longstanding WBO Welterweight king Antonio Margarito, who may be the most feared 147 pounder in the world today, took time out from his busy schedule to talk some boxing with Boxinginsider.com.

Read on and learn what King Antonio has to say about his next fight, his “awesome” experience at De La Hoya-Mayorga, and why Sylvester Stallone is a Margarito fan. Also, Antonio reveals how he easily is able to keep making weight at welterweight:

Boxinginsider: It’s beginning to look like Oscar De La Hoya may skip over Floyd and fight this “surprise” opponent in September. So with that, did you sign for Clottey in August? Or are you still free and holding out hope for getting Floyd as your next fight, as he has no other options if Oscar skips him.

Antonio Margarito: The Clottey fight has not been signed and it probably will not happen any time soon. Clottey was only being considered because Showtime was speaking to my promoter (Top Rank) offering a August 5th date to fight Clottey. Since Showtime decided to put on another fight, I’m back on August 12th with an opponent TBD, but Clottey is no longer being considered. Although I still haven’t signed for anyone, Top Rank and my team have decided to put Mayweather behind us and look forward. We can not sit and wait for Floyd’s decision. We have to move on and hope for the best. I’m ready if he’s willing, but I can’t wait forever.

Boxinginsider: Is it hard for you to make weight at 147 pounds? Do you sacrifice a lot of meals or is it your metabolism is very fast and you make weight easily?

Antonio Margarito: I don’t have any problems making weight. I gain and loose weight correctly. I don’t skip meals, and I don’t really watch what I eat. I don’t drink, smoke, or party. Boxing is my career and I’m dedicated. I make sure not to blow up after a fight like the majority of fighters do. I continue to train in Mexico, not with the same intensity, but just enough to maintain my condition and weight.

Boxinginsider: How was your time at the Boxing Writers Dinner? Tell us about who you met?

Antonio Margarito: I’m glad I attended the dinner. My manager mentioned the importance of being there, I’m glad I went. Rocky Balboa - I’ve always wanted to take a photo with Sylvester Stallone. I’ve tried a couple of times before, but never had the pleasure to meet or take a photo with him. The great thing was that he knew who I was. I never expected him to know who I was. He told me Sergio Mora speaks highly of me - thank you Sergio. I told him Sergio gives me the help I need and in return I give him the help he needs. I was also able to meet the people from Showtime, the owner of Cleto Reyes (Mexican boxing glove manufacturer) and others. It was a good experience.

Boxinginsider: Please tell us about your experiences at De La Hoya- Mayorga? Howdid the fans treat you, now that many of them believe Floyd is ducking you. Was that your first time at a big fight live?

Antonio Margarito: It was great! Oscar, Richard (Schaeffer) and their staff at Golden Boy are doing good things. You could feel the energy in the arena. I had the chills, I kept thinking to myself, One day I will be involved in an event of this magnitude. The fans treated me great. I tried making it to the weigh-in, but I never made it, the fans were swarming me. It was unbelievable! It was amazing! It was awesome! My manager went with an agenda, and we met every single bit of it. It was very exciting to feel the energy of my weight division. Now we need for Top Rank and Golden Boy to work together and the fights that the fans want to watch. No, I’ve been to many big fights, but just not noticed. I was hoping to hear my name mentioned at the event as one of the attendees, but it didn’t happen, maybe next time.

Boxinginsider: Which fights in boxing in other weight classes are you excited to see? Which fights have you excited to be a boxing fan?

Antonio Margarito: Castillo versus Corrales and Morales v. Barrera.