The first boxing card at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington is just more than a month away, and it figures to be a must-see event.
The location alone makes it so, and while we all would have preferred to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. as Manny Pacquiao's opponent, Joshua Clottey is a worthy substitute.
The blood-testing issue that KO'd the Mayweather match will be a non-issue for this fight. But there could be trouble on the horizon for the card, nonetheless.
Promoters are hoping to add disgraced welterweight Antonio Margarito to the undercard, provided he can obtain a license in Texas.
As repulsive and unethical as it may seem, Margarito deserves to be licensed again — if he can meet certain qualifications.
That's a pretty big if.
If you follow the sport at all, you're familiar with Margarito's crime.
Prior to his fight against Shane Mosley on Jan. 24, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Margarito was caught with an illegal hand wrap.
Later tests revealed the knuckle pad was soaked with a plaster-like substance. It wasn't brass knuckles, but it was close.
Mosley went on to win by ninth-round TKO for the WBA super welterweight title, but afterward, the California State Athletic Commission suspended Margarito and his trainer, Javier Capetillo, for one year.
That period will expire on Thursday. So, legally, Texas is within its rights to grant him a license.
A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees boxing in the state, confirmed Margarito's application had been received and “is under review,” along with all applicable laws.
One of those laws is the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which requires all states to honor suspensions from other states.
The last time a fighter's request for a Texas license drew this much attention came in 2002 when Mike Tyson petitioned for one.
Then, citing Tyson's prior rape conviction and fearing a public relations nightmare, Gov. Rick Perry put his foot down, and Tyson was denied.
Don't expect to see the governor get involved in the Margarito saga, although a tough stand by Perry on the issue might provide a nice boost to his re-election campaign.
Nevertheless, the state's boxing reputation is on the line here. Its image has taken some pretty big hits in recent weeks after some controversial decisions have gone to hometown fighters.
The perception is Texas doesn't always play by the rules. This is a chance for Texas to make a statement.
Margarito is widely viewed as a pariah, a cheater who probably deserved a lifetime ban. One national boxing writer has taken to calling him Margacheato.
But his suspension was for a year, and that period is about to expire.
Margarito did the crime and served the time.
As revolting as the thought of him returning to the ring is, Texas would be justified in granting him a license, in compliance with the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, provided California lifts its suspension first.
To do that, Margarito would have to reapply and convince the commission at a hearing there that he is rehabilitated, that he recognizes the seriousness of his transgression and vows never to do such a thing again.
Margarito so far has been unrepentant. He has maintained he had no knowledge of the illegal wraps and placed all the blame on his trainer.
There is some indication that Texas will do the right thing and demand Margarito clear his name in California before granting him a license here.
Some won't like it. But at least Texas will prove its desire to play by the rules.
JOHN WHISLER'S VIEW FROM THE CORNER
Opening flurry
New series set: From 1998-2005, the Miller Lite Texas Title Belt series roamed the Lone Star State, with 115 events and more than 700 matches in civic centers and ballrooms, from Victoria to Dallas, Houston, El Paso and all across the Rio Grande Valley.
San Antonio was a favorite stop. Some of the cards were duds, but they improved over time, and they were regular.
So when the Miller Brewing Co. pulled the plug on the series, Texas fight fans went through withdrawal.
We haven’t seen anything like the series since. Not having regular shows to count on and look forward to makes you realize just how lucky we were to have had the Miller series.
Now it appears it’s coming back, with Tecate as the title sponsor.
The Tecate Texas Boxing Tour is set to debut March 12 in Dallas.
Fort Worth’s Lester Bedford, the same guy who was brought in to run the Miller series four years into its seven-year run, is promoting the series.
“We’re finishing up our promotional materials, trying to get everything ready,” Bedford said. “San Antonio is going to be a big part of it.”
Bedford said plans call for Tecate to sponsor at least 10 boxing cards in 2010 and possibly more. Most of the shows will be televised on Fox Sports Net or ESPN2, Bedford said.
Straight shots
Arlington undercard: Top Rank has signed featherweight Salvador Sanchez (18-3-2, 8 KOs), the nephew of the late Hall of Fame featherweight champion with the same name, to a contract.
Sanchez, who is the spitting image of his uncle, will make his debut for the company on the March 13 Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey undercard at Cowboys Stadium, although the bout is not slated for the pay-per-view broadcast.
One undercard bout on the pay-per-view broadcast is Jose Luis Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs), Sonora, Mexico, vs. Alfonso Gomez (21-4-2, 10 KOs), Guadalajara, Mexico, in a 10-round welterweight bout.
Also, John Duddy (28-1-2, 17 KOs) of Ireland is scheduled to take on Michael Medina (22-1-2, 17 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico, in a 10-round middleweight bout.
WEC pay-per-view: World Extreme Cagefighting has announced its first pay-per-view card. It’ll take place April 24 in Sacramento, Calif., ($44.95) with Urijah Faber challenging welterweight champion Jose Aldo in the main event.
Also, WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson will defend his belt against Donald Cerrone in a rematch of their San Antonio fight in October.
Local spotlight
Barrios runner-up: Mario Barrios of San Antonio won a silver medal Saturday at the 2010 National Silver Gloves Tournament in Washington, D.C.
Barrios, who trains at the San Antonio Parks and Recreation gym, finished second at 90 pounds in the 14-15 year-old division.
Three other local boxers competed in the tournament. Hector Tanajara (75 pounds, 12-13 year-old division) of SAPR lost in the semifinals, while Esquiel Garcia (95 pounds, 14-15 year-old division) of SAPR lost in the first round.
Joey Pesina-Moreno of Angel’s Boxing Club (105, 12-13 year-old division) also lost in his first-round match.
jwhisler@express-news.net
Source: mysanantonio.com
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