Arum talks about Iole article
A few days ago, Yahoo Sports columnist Kevin Iole wrote an article criticizing Antonio Margarito for his Nov 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao. Iole claimed that Margarito’s return to boxing, which was actively encouraged and supported by big-time promoter Bob Arum, should make fans sick due to the fact, according to Iole, that Margarito previously cheated.
In his words, he said: “Because it [Margarito’s guilt] couldn’t be proven conclusively that he knew, there are no legal reasons to deny him. But ethically, morally and in the best interests of boxing, Texas’ decision to grant Margarito a license is a farce and an affront to every tenet of fair play known to man. [...] Pacquiao is going to accept upward of $15 million of what is blood money to fight Margarito.”
The article caused a stir in the boxing world, for more reasons than one. First of it, it should be said that there are many who firmly agree with Iole that Margarito should not be competing, or that he should be punished more thoroughly for the hand wrap incident that tainted his career in January 2009. Oscar de la Hoya is one of them. Recently, he said: ““I’m actually disgusted by the fact they’re [Top Rank Promotions] going over California and weaselling their way into Texas to get a license. Whatever type of cheating you’re doing, it’s wrong. You should be banned for life.”
De la Hoya’s voice sounds creepily similar to Iole’s. At the same time, there are others that have tried to maintain a more balanced view, and give Margarito the benefit of the doubt. Margarito stated previously that he was unaware of the loaded wraps, and that it was something taken care of by his former trainer, Javier Capetillo.
But there was another issue at stake with Iole’s article. Analysts the world over have long fed Margarito his due. But Iole may have been one of the first to suggest that in taking the fight, Pacquiao was also to blame. Indeed, accepting upwards of $15 million “blood money” is a heavy fisted accusation against Pacman.
As a response to his various points, Bob Arum recently said: “Iole wrote that Manny has laid down with a flea infested dog meaning Antonio. He is entitled to his opinion but I am not going to let this flea thing get out of hand. We will give everyone from the media a flea gun blast as they enter into the press conference venues.”
Arum continued: “I am not going to say that Iole is in the Top Rank dog house. Let’s just say that the purple prose he produced, well it just really ticked me off.”
But the question remains. Can Pacquiao be held responsible for choosing to fight Margarito? Was it a breach of ethics in favour of money to do so? Let’s keep in mind Pacquiao is also a Philippine congressman.
At the same time, many against Margarito’s return to the ring ought to find the fight incentive enough to admire Pacquiao. After all, why not give the cheater a professional l*****g and in so doing be an enforcer of justice?
The Margarito-Pacquiao showdown will take place on 13 Nov in Dallas, Texas. It is expected to draw in 70,000 fans, which is more than the amount for a previous Pacquiao bout in the stadium with Joshua Clottey. The heavy favourite for the bout will be Pacquiao, even though Margarito is considered the more powerful puncher of the two. On Pacman’s side are his endurance, his dynamic skills, and his speed, which is expected to give him the win.
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