I WONDER just how many boxing fans had heard of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) before 2008. That was the year the body enabled Texas to become the first US state to license the late Edwin Valero, who had been denied the right to fight in New York four years earlier when an MRI scan revealed an old motorcycle injury.
Now the TDLR is being asked to provide salvation to another purportedly misunderstood boxer ? Antonio Margarito who, after going down 5-1 to the State Athletic Commission in California and having his application tabled in Nevada, is pleading with Texas to give him one last chance and allow him to meet Manny Pacquiao on November 13. After the Valero case, where Texas went against New York and other states that had followed the Big Apple’s lead despite the medical reasoning, many observers doubt the Lone Star State will now make a stand on ethical and moral grounds.
Nevada did not reject Margarito because he had been found with a hard substance in his handwraps before fighting Shane Mosley early last year. They merely stated that he should, for propriety’s sake, first apply in the state where the Mosley fight was held and that had handed the Mexican a one-year suspension. This Margarito did and he was met with objections of a more moral dimension, as the CSAC did not like Tony?s attempts to place all the blame on his then-trainer Javier Capetillo. Perhaps the boxer was indeed ignorant of Capetillo’s nefarious shenanigans ? the trainer himself has insisted this is the case ? but you can understand, just as many people find it hard to believe this was the first time Margarito had worn doctored wraps, so plenty cannot accept a fighter would not ?feel? the difference in density and weight. The truth may only ever be known to fighter and coach.
Nevada has made it quite clear that having fulfilled their request that he apply to California, Margarito can now try again with them. But with the TDLR perceived as the less stringent body and the Dallas Cowboys? Stadium Top Rank?s favoured venue ? outside the seemingly impractical yet historic setting of Dubai ? Margarito has applied in Texas.
There are some admittedly small hopes that Texas will uphold the sport?s often shaky moral code. Unlike in the Valero case there is no huge groundswell of public opinion in favour of granting Margarito a license. Morally, most find him what he was suspended for abhorrent but even from a boxing standpoint, there does not appear to exist any fervent desire to see him designated as Pacquiao?s next victim, apart perhaps from a perspective of poetic justice. There are many fighters fans would rather see Manny face and the Filipino could draw a huge crowd to Texas against any of them, the state?s large Mexican population notwithstanding.
Another thing regarding Valero: his MRI failure occurred several years before his license was granted and the fighter had competed many times in the interim, with no medical problems whatsoever (accept those of his opponents). Margarito?s transgression remains fresh in the memory and he has not fought in a high-profile setting since. His being licensed in Texas would look conspicuous and could legitimately spark outrage in some quarters.
But the big fear is that money, as is often the case, will steamroll any ethical objections. Yes, Pacquiao could draw big against anyone in Texas but the Margarito fight is all but made, terms have been agreed and it?s the contest Top Rank wants. If Texas deny Tony a license it risks losing a huge boost to its economy in a time when any state would find it tough to turn such a boon down. Other venues are already circling, both in the US and abroad, should the TDLR locate its backbone in the coming days.
I do not think Margarito has served time proportionate to his crime and, more importantly, has shown no remorse, the latter the reason California rejected his application. ?You can delegate authority but not responsibility,? Margarito was told. In other words, ignorance is no defence and an apology wouldn?t go amiss, even if you do not admit guilt. Margarito and Top Rank are treating this process more as an annoying marathon of red tape than the serious moral safeguard it is. If Texas stands up, other states could follow, to a point where no regulating body would license Margarito this year, for fear of defying the majority.
But it could be just a pipe dream. The TDLR has never been so important to boxing. I hope they make the right decision for the sport?s image rather than what could be seen as the right decision for Texas. Until next time…
