DALLAS – Possible ticket-buying fans would like to know soon if Texas will allow former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito to fight on the March 13 Pacquiao vs. Clottey card that lacks an exciting Mexican name on the docket.
Why the delay? The state is reaching out for opinions within the boxing community on which way to go. This has been going on for weeks.
The situation isn’t going to go away if its ignored. Make a decision and live with it already I say.
I’m assuming the answer will be “No” to Margarito because Texas doesn’t care about boxing, but the aftermath of politics and the negative public opinion afterwords.
But the state wants the 3% tax revenue from ticket sales either way.
Texas wants promoters such as Bob Arum to bring high-profile fights to Texas but there is usually a price to pay such as being stuck with the Margarito baggage.
The rest of the under card is coming along nicely.
OK, Salvador Sanchez is a big name. But this is the nephew of the late legend that must carry the same famous name burden as Mickey Mantle, Jr. did.
Sanchez, 18-3-2 (8 KO’s), just signed with Top Rank. After losing his first two fights, he has won 18 of 19. His opponent is to be announced and they are considering an eight-round fight.
To honor his late, legendary uncle, Sanchez, 24, wears the trunks and robe of the Hall of Famer in the ring for his fights.
I had the thrill of seeing Sanchez in his next to last fight against Rocky Garcia in the just-demolished Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas in May of 1982. I still have the ticket stub.
In a scheduled 10, fringe contender Irish John Duddy, 28-1 (17 KO’s) faces upstart Michael Medina, 22-1 (17 KO’s) in a middleweight battle.
Former lightweight world champion Jose Luis Castillo, 60-9-1 (52), faces Contender veteran Alfonso Gomez, 21-4 (10 KO’s).
Castillo most recently was a valuable sparring partner for Pacquiao as he prepared to fight Miguel Cotto for his current WBO Welterweight Title which is the official belt being fought for March 13.
Dallas bantamweight Roberto Marroquin, 11-0 (8 KO’s) is a Top Rank prospect expected to move a lot of tickets locally. Marroquin fights in McAllen, Texas Saturday night against Robert Guillen.
20-year-old Marroquin was a big hit at the Dallas press conference last month.
These are the scheduled fights for the pay per view televised portion of the card although there will be several other non-televised fights for the fans at Cowboys Stadium to be announced.
The Friday night (March 12) before Pacquiao vs. Clottey will see another Top Rank Boxing event at a local resort lodge called Gaylord Texan. The event will be televised live on Fox Sports Net. Fighters are to be announced.
