Antonio Margarito had some big plans this fall.
The “Tijuana Tornado” was either going to fight a rematch with Miguel Cotto or, if Manny Pacquiao’s proposed superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. fell through, have an intriguing showdown with “Pac-Man” – maybe the most popular fighter in boxing.
Both fights would have garnered worldwide attention and generated millions of dollars. Both fights would have qualified as two of the more significant fights of the year. And both fights would have happened in Las Vegas.
But a funny thing happened on Margarito’s way to career rejuvenation. The Nevada State Athletic Commission reminded him that he was a cheater.
The right call
Yes, while the boxing world may have indeed lost two great fights, the Nevada commission did the right thing last week by sending Margarito’s request for a boxing license back to the state that suspended him in the first place – California.
The California State Athletic Commission suspended Margarito in early 2009 after it was revealed that the former world welterweight champion had allegedly loaded his gloves with a plaster-like substance prior to a his fight with Shane Mosley at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The rest of the Union followed and, for the next year, Margarito was prohibited to fight in the United States.
But, after his year-long suspension was up, Margarito didn’t reapply for his license in California. He reapplied for it first in Texas, and then in Nevada — in a not-so-subtle attempt to circumvent the people on the commission that bounced him in the first place.
Of course, this was all the master plan of Margarito’s promoter, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who is losing millions on his client’s boneheaded, career-killing decision making. He likely negotiated for hours with the Cotto and Pacquiao camps in the hopes that Nevada would rubber-stamp Margarito’s application. He had to. He made an investment and he’s running out of options.
But the Nevada commission made the decent call by not making a call at all, which took some guts. The state stood to make millions. The pressure to reinstate was probably intense.
Leave him out
At this point, the only thing Margarito can do is fight outside of the U.S. — and there is talk of putting Margarito vs. Cotto or Margarito vs. Pacquiao in Mexico. Margarito fought there in his post-suspension fight in May.
But, for now, Margarito’s career is again in limbo. Bravo.
Really, Margarito should never be allowed to fight again. The New York State Athletic Commission suspended journeyman Luis Resto for his similar reprehensible actions in 1983 — not for a year or two, but for life.
Is Margarito different only because he’s an elite fighter who stands to make millions.
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. But, for now, at least, Mr. Concrete Hands is not allowed to fight in places that can make him the most money. Good.
Boxing is a better sport without him.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]
