The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) decided today (August 18) by a 5-1 vote to deny Antonio Margarito’s request to have a new boxing license approved.
For over five hours, Margarito’s legal team and prosecutor Karen Chappelle presented arguments and rebuttals regarding why Margarito should or should not be allowed to fight following his February 2009 suspension for illegal hand wraps.
Margarito’s chances were damaged midway through the proceedings when it was revealed during questioning that he had been sparring illegally in California for the past six months. According to California law, you must have a license to spar. It was a rule that neither Margarito nor his new trainer Robert Garcia were aware of.
“I didn’t know I needed a permit for training or sparring,” Margarito admitted under oath. “But the one year suspension had already passed before I started.”
The CSAC corrected Margarito and his team by clarifying that the Tijauna Tornado’s license was revoked, meaning the decision stayed in place indefinitely until it was replaced by another ruling.
Margarito’s actions in the last year appeared to have hurt him the most. The fact that his promoter Top Rank tried to get licensed in another state (Nevada) and even a fight in Mexico made the CSAC question the sincerity of Margarito’s contrition.
“What you’ve done to this point is a little shaky to be honest,” said one commissioner.
Margarito admitted the choice was a difficult one. Trying to focus on the future instead of the past, he promised to take a more active role in the business and legal side of his affairs. Regarding the hand wraps, he advised that he now closely supervises every wrapping to ensure no foul play.
“You’re right…that’s why I feel guilty for not knowing what was going on,” Margarito testified. “I would be ever so grateful [to be licensed]. It’s a hard thing to decide on.”
The ruling means Margarito must wait another year before attempting to be licensed again in California. Most states will follow California’s protocol. However, each state has discretion to decide if Margarito can compete. In 2002, Mike Tyson ended up being licensed in Tennessee to fight Lennox Lewis after his out of the ring behavior caused him to be denied in Nevada and New Jersey.
At press time, Top Rank will move forward with plans to get Margarito licensed in Texas to face Manny Pacquiao this November. Margarito verified that fight is still not officially signed.
Check in tomorrow at Beats, Boxing and Mayhem for a very comprehensive breakdown of the today’s events and its ramifications for boxing.
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