MANILA, Philippines – Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito can?t seem to shake off the tag as boxing?s ?ultra-villain,? the bad boy whom trainer Freddie Roach insists knew his bandages were loaded when authorities discovered traces of sulfur and calcium in the hand-wraps before losing to Sugar Shane Mosley last year.
Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo were suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for the tampered hand-wraps. The fighter claimed no knowledge of the lacing and pointed to Capetillo as the only one to blame, the convenient non-descript fall-guy in the bust. His refusal to confess prompted the California officials to turn down a recent appeal for reinstatement after over a year on the suspended list. The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted, 4-1, to side with California in refusing Margarito a license. And only the Texas State Athletic Commission gave its go-signal, clearing the way for Manny Pacquiao to take on Margarito for the vacant WBC superwelterweight crown at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 13. Texas presumably showed leniency towards Margarito because of its large Hispanic population.
The match-up is the classic duel between a hero and a villain. Nobody doubts Pacquiao?s emergence as the world?s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter today, except Floyd Mayweather and his sycophants. And everybody wants Margarito to get the beating he deserves for disrespecting the fight game.
Margarito?s stained reputation has spawned such nicknames as ?Marga-Sleazo,? ?Marga-cheato,? ?Plast-arito? and ?Sneak-arito.? Miguel Cotto, whom Margarito stopped in the 11th round in Las Vegas two years ago, has accused the Mexican of using packed wraps in their bout. The Ring Magazine?s Ivan Goldman said Roach ?is convinced Margarito used loaded gloves while sparring at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.?
In contrast, Pacquiao is revered all over the world. Michael Buffer is expected to introduce him in the ring as ?the fighting Congressman from Sarangani? before the Margarito bout. He?s become a legend in his own time and a shoo-in for the Boxing Hall of Fame. Margarito?s only guarantee is a ticket to the Hall of Shame.he
