Last month's "hot potato" in boxing was the unresolved conflict over random blood testing between the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao camps. Certainly, that issue is not going to disappear anytime soon.
But, bubbling below the surface, there is a big and more interesting controversy which could be resolved sometime next week.
The resolution--and the how and why of the outcome--is likely to produce some real fireworks.
The new "hot potato" is whether the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is going to issue a boxer's permit for former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito so that he can launch a comeback on the Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey March 13 PPV show at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
"Margocheato," an unfortunate nickname which has stuck to the formidable fighter from Tijuana ever since he got nabbed in a Staples Center (Los Angeles) dressing room with illegal handwraps which trainer Javier Capetillo laid on his hands, was given a one year revocation.
This official statement was made by the CSAC on Feb. 10, 2009, as quoted by the Associated Press in a Greg Beacham story:
"The conduct of both Mr. Margarito and Mr. Capetillo was unacceptable and threatened the health and safety of another licensee," said Carrie Lopez, the director of the state's Department of Consumer Affairs, which licenses fighters. "Today's action shows that both the Department of Consumer Affairs and the California State Athletic Commission take the issue of boxer safety very seriously, and will move quickly when a licensee's actions threaten the safety of others."
Because Sugar Shane Mosley trainer Naazim Richardson was so observant and blew the whistle on the flagrant and highly dangerous cheating attempt, Margarito's hands had to be rewrapped.
The Mexican fighter went out and lost a onesided bout against Mosley. Later, Margarito told the California State Athletic Commission that he was not aware of what Capetillo was doing illegally. Many in boxing, including Oscar de la Hoya, Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, proclaimed Margarito's explanation as implausible.
But that was Margarito's story, his testimony, and now with his suspension reportedly ending Thursday, he is sticking to it.
So the burning question now is, will Texas "rubber stamp" his application given that the California ban is about to end and there is no legal impediment to his request? (Technically, Margarito remains on revoked status in the Golden State until such time as he goes back before the commission or applies for a new license there.)
It seems that promoter Bob Arum, who has passionately defended his client and blamed the whole thing on Capetillo (no longer with Margarito), is uncertain of which way the application will go.
Arum told me the other day that his company, Top Rank, has made "a contingency plan" for Margarito to fight in Mexico on May 8 if Texas turns thumbs down.
I spoke Wednesday to Susan Stanford, public information officer for the Texas state agency which will decide on Margarito's application.
"We have his application," Stanford said. "We are carefully reviewing all the laws and licensing regulations which are pertinent. It is under review and, if it is denied, the boxer can request a review at a (public) hearing."
The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), a voluntary group which includes nearly all of the state and tribal boxing boards, has sent Texas carefully composed letter in which it acknowledged that, with the California suspension ending, there is no legal reason to block Margarito.
But the ABC did express its opinion that Margarito's conduct was serious enough to warrant futher review and consideration of whether the 12 month ban was sufficient.
The Texas board, which is headed by William A. Kuntz, is under serious pressure from some Hispanic leaders and possibly Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones to give Margarito the green light.
The popular Mexican boxer would help sell a certain number of tickets for the March 13 show.
Unless and until he reapplies to fight in California, Margarito is not required to go back before the board which banned he and Capetillo.
Many in boxing view Margarito's punishment as light considering that boxer Luis Resto and trainer Carlos "Panama" Lewis, who were caught for similar cheating (they removed all the padding from Resto's gloves before he pummeled Irish Billy Collins at Madison Square Garden), were essentially banned from boxing for life.
Resto and Lewis also served prison time in New York whereas no criminal charges were brought against either Margarito or Capetillo.
(Next: Part 2, Will Texas say "yes" and what Margarito can and should do)
Source: examiner.com
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