What happens if the well-heeled investors in Abu Dhabi turn out to be all sand, no cattle?
And what if Jerry Jones doesn’t have the unbridled enthusiasm for Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 that Bob Arum wants us all to think the Head Cowboy has?
Well, let me put it this way, if you’re part of the Pacquiao Worldwide Army (PWA) and have already booked plane and/or hotel reservations to go to Las Vegas, I would not cancel them without serious thought.
On Monday, Arum whispered to me that his stepson and Top Rank president Todd duBoef remains in constant contact with MGM Grand decision makers about the situation.
Free box of Winchell’s Donuts for any Michael Marley reader who can identify exactly what the Nov. 13 venue for Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao fight will be. You have to pay for your own cruellers, though. (Associated Press Photo)
Now, based on talks with Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer and others in the know Tuesday, I get the feeling that Lost Wages is not out of the running to host the disgraced Mexican’s fight for redemption against the Pinoy Idol.
Sure, Pacman agent Mike Koncz is shoveling sand against the tide on Abu Dhabi’s gleaming beaches but…
It looks like all the pieces for Manny-Margocheato will fall into place after the Tijuana Tornado, suspended for a year for being a plaster caster with his handwraps before a loss to Shane Mosley, goes before the boxing board in California on Aug. 18.
If Margarito gets clearance for takeoff from the ?scene of the crime,? then he should be be able to garner three out of five votes to get licensed in neighboring Nevada.
At its July 9 meeting, Nevada voted 4-1 to table Margarito’s request for his ?ticket? and strongly suggested he got, handwraps in hand, back to Cali to clear the air.
By doing so on the 18th, Kizer said, Margarito improves his position considerably.
Antonio Margarito’s “presentation” in front of California commission on Aug 18 is crucial for the mexican fighter’s ring future (Associated Press Photo)
?What they do in California is not binding on Nevada and I don’t know how the vote would go here but I think Margarito does two important things in reappearing in California.
?One, he shows some true remorse and contrition for what happened in Los Angeles,? attorney Kizer said. ?And, two, he’s back in front of the commission which investigated and punished him, the commission which knows more about the case than anyone else. Even though it all happened 18 months ago, this is important.?
Legally, even with his pending appeal of the suspension, I personally no reason why California should give the 33 year old fighter another kick in the pants or slap on the hands.
The appeal goes before a higher court and, here lawyer Arum is right, Margarito has a clear right to appeal that action which prevented him for making a living for 12 months and beyond.
Kizer explained Margo’s status a bit more.
?Under federal law, he’s free to fight anywhere but, having said that, any commission has its own discretion as to whether or not to license him,? Kizer said.
Boxing licenses, like a hairdresser, barber or driver’s license, is a privilege, not a legal right.
If California gives him a new license, and thus a bright, green light on the 18th, all systems should be go in all 50 states for Margarito.
If California flashes green, don’t be surprised if Abu Dhabi and Dallas are quickly forgotten by Arum and Pacquiao just as rapidly as they abandoned all the chitchat about the fight happening in Monterey, Mexico.
Flexible and versatile, that’s our Uncle Bob.
