BLAME it on Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Instead of releasing a profanity-laced video about Manny Pacquiao he should have been training to box him on November 13 in Dallas. For whatever reason, Mayweather did not want the fight, so instead of one of the most attractive match-ups in boxing history we will be given one that barely could find a home.
From a pure boxing standpoint, Antonio Margarito has not earned the right to face Manny Pacquiao in such a high-profile event. 20 months ago Margarito was obliterated in nine rounds by Shane Mosley. Since then he has only boxed once, winning a 10-round decision over one Roberto Garcia. Hardly worthy credentials for a man that will soon be put on his sport?s center stage.
Unless you have been away on an extended vacation then you are no doubt aware of the Mexican’s precarious situation in having been caught with loaded handwraps before the Mosley fight. Margarito never took responsibility for having any knowledge of such. Believe him at your own risk. Of course, many are now saying that Margarito probably had an illegal advantage in other bouts as well, but that is strictly conjecture and can never be proved.
The closest precedent to the Margarito situation would be Luis Resto who was caught with the padding removed from his gloves after his 1983 fight with Billy Collins in Madison Square Garden. For close to 25 years, Resto denied any knowledge even while serving a prison term for the offense. Eventually he came clean and admitted wrongdoing. It is doubtful if Margarito ever will. Regardless of how many times if ever Margarito boxed with tampered gloves, he never came close to inflicting the damage on his opponents that Resto did on Collins.
Look, if a man is drunk, gets behind the wheel of a car and kills a pedestrian he is charged with vehicular manslaughter, usually resulting in a few years of jail time. However, if he is merely stopped for driving while intoxicated there are still penalties, but they are significantly lighter.
Based on the above examples no-one should have qualms with Margarito being allowed to box. He served a mandated one-year suspension that was handed down by the California commission where the Mosley fight took place.
When the ?Tijuana Tornado? reapplied after the year, the California executive board voted 5-1 against. Major states like Nevada, New York, etc probably would have honoured the ruling. They don’t call Texas the Lone Star State for nothing.
Forget for a moment that it will be Pacquiao, the burning question is this, should Margarito be allowed to box? I pondered that question when I attended the press conference in New York to announce his fight with the Pacman.
I don’t attend too many press conferences. For one, my schedule often does not permit it. Secondly I find them more of a social occasion than a meaningful event. I felt uncomfortable being at this one because I can’t honestly say that I support Margarito’s right to box, yet I was validating it by my presence.
Originally I had predicted a quick Pacquiao blow-out, but after seeing them together have changed my mind. When they stood side-by-side, it was striking how much bigger Margarito was. The Mexican looked in great shape, Pacquiao somewhat less so. Of course the fight was a good 10 weeks away, more than enough time for Manny to whip himself into tip-top form. Freddie Roach may have given the simplest blueprint to the fight when he said ?my man [Pacquiao] will win because he has greater skills.?
Margarito never did jail time or was charged with a crime for his offense, but he did wrong and was never man enough to admit it. I am all in favour of Antonio being allowed to earn a living, but something is not right about him getting a megafight so soon after his suspension was lifted. I know all of us who have doubts about this event taking place would feel a lot better if only Margarito had said he was sorry.
