Antonio Margarito may fight again, on November 13th, for one of boxing?s most lucrative pay days against Manny Pacquiao, but not with the blessing of the California State Athletic Commission.
Appearing before California?s governing body on Wednesday, Margarito?s request to be re-instated, after being suspended for attempting to bring plaster-laced handwraps into a January, 2009 fight against Shane Mosley, was denied a license by a clear vote of 5-1.
Though Margarito insisted he would never commit such an act again, his pleas fell before deaf ears and now his promoter Bob Arum is banking that the liberal Texas commission will sanction his fighter.
Even if Texas, or any other state within the United States, allows Margarito to fight, the message sent by California is loud and clear: Margarito?s actions were wrong, one of the worst that can be committed in boxing, and he does not deserve an opportunity to make a substantial some of money inside a ring.
Funny how Arum, who hoodwinked fans for weeks, saying that he could take Margarito – Pacquiao to Dubai or Mexico, is now left taking the fight to Cowboys Stadium outside of Dallas, Texas.
Margarito?s pleads for mercy were hollow, when you remember that he fought outside of the United States this year, yucking it up and posing for the cameras with a big grin on his face. He only re-appeared before California?s boxing body when a big payday was dangled in front of him.
Concerned boxing fan Danny Guzman?s letter to the California State Atheltic Commission sums the situation up well, along with video evidence, and can be read here.
Margarito will win in the end, fighting against Pacquiao and cashing a nice check, but at least California did not allow itself to be swayed by a man who tried to make his fists into even deadlier weapons.
