IRVING, Texas — Cowboys Stadium is a potential destination for the Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto rematch scheduled for Dec. 3.
The fight is scheduled to occur at Madison Square Garden, but the New York State Athletic Commission is reviewing Margarito’s request for a boxing license because he suffered a eye injury in his loss to Manny Pacquiao last Nov. 13 in a bout at Cowboys Stadium.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday in New York to determine if Margarito should be given one.
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Bob Arum, the promoter for both fighters, said he’s spoken with officials from Cowboys Stadium about moving the fight to Arlington, Texas.
A source confirmed the Cowboys are interested in the fight if Margarito is denied a license in New York.
“We’ll have a decision later today,” Arum said Friday morning. “[Cowboys Stadium] is our premium choice to have an event that night. We have a great relationship with the Cowboys. It’s a hot, hot fight.”
Despite a quick turnaround to move the bout, Arum expects between 30,000-40,000 fans for the fight.
“We won’t go crazy on the ticket [price],” he said.
The New York commission is expected to make its decision Friday.
The Cowboys play at Arizona, Dec. 4, making Cowboys Stadium available. Arum said other options include the Pepsi Center in Denver and Biloxi, Miss.
If the fight happens, this will be the third fight at Cowboys Stadium. The first two involved Pacquiao, considered one of the top fighters in the sport. Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey in the first boxing match at Cowboys Stadium in March 2010. It drew 50,944 fans, the second-largest attended boxing match in Texas.
A hearing on Wednesday reviewing Margarito’s medical records revealed he suffered a broken orbital bone in his face and developed a large cataract in his right eye. Margarito underwent cataract surgery and had an artificial lens placed in the eye.
Margarito has not fought since his loss to Pacquiao and he would also have to apply for a license in Texas.
Margarito defeated Cotto in their first match in 2008.
Calvin Watkins covers boxing for ESPNDallas.com. Dan Rafael of ESPN.com contributed to this report.
Follow Calvin Watkins on Twitter: @calvinwatkins
