By Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times
The proposed undercard appearance of suspended boxer Antonio Margarito will not take place March 13.
Margarito, former world champion at 147 pounds, had been in line to fight in a semi-main event prior to the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. But Bob Arum of Top Rank, Margarito's promoter, said those plans have now changed. Arum said that Margarito would fight on a card May 8 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He will be the main-event boxer in that one.
Margarito was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission after his upset loss to Shane Mosley at Staples Center in January 2009. Prior to that fight, it was discovered, by Mosley's trainer, that Margarito had a plaster-like substance in his hand wraps under his gloves.
Margarito's suspension allowed him to re-apply for a license for the first time Thursday. But the California commission that suspended him is balking at that, calling his violation severe. Some officials in the sport believe that, despite California's objections, other states may give him a license. In general, a suspension in one state is not lifted for another unless the original state signs off.
"We are tabling everything right now," Arum said. "We want our lawyers to look carefully at the case."
The presumption is that there will be talks with California commission lawyers as well before any further movement takes place.
Margarito, one of the bigger Mexican boxing stars after the retirement of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, is 31 and has a 37-6 record, including 27 knockouts.
Arum said the Dallas undercard spot would be filled by a title match at 135 pounds between Humberto Soto and David Diaz.
Source: latimes.com
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