California DA interviewed about Antonio Margarito license rejection
Next month promises to be heavy-hitting for boxing fans, as No.1 rated pound-for-pound Manny Pacquiao takes on boxing bad boy Antonio Margarito in the Dallas Cowboys Stadium on November 13. It’s a fight that has already been doused in controversy, with
Margarito, the “Tijuana Tornado,” fighting for the first time since being relicensed as a fighter.
In February 2009 his license was revoked after authorities discovered a hardened substance in his hand wraps prior to a bout with Golden Boy promoted fighter “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Margarito denied knowledge of the incident, pegging it on his now former
trainer, Javier Capetillo, who put the wraps on the fighter.
So when Bob Rank announced a prospective fight between Margarito and Pacquiao some months ago (in part because of a reticent Mayweather), the green light flashed on for Margarito to acquire a license to fight. He went to the California State Athletic Commission
(the fight in question was in Los Angeles), but was rejected in his appeal. Following that, he went to the Nevada Commission, where he was told to receive a positive judgement from California first. A second attempt proved unsuccessful, at which time Margarito
and team finally went to Texas and successfully acquired a license.
Recently Deputy Attorney General Karen Chappelle was interviewed. She played a large role in the hearings that took place in California with Margarito. Among other things, she was asked about the authenticity of a rumour (voiced by Margarito and others)
that the commission rejected a renewal due to Golden Boy Promotions holding sway in the decision.
When asked about the rumour, Chappelle chuckled. “Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of that. Is that what they’ve been saying? […] As everyone saw, the hearing took place out in the open where the public was free to see and hear the dialogue that took
place. […] It's funny that they're bringing this type of thing up and [it] just shows even further that he [Margarito] doesn't know how to conduct himself and is obviously not remorseful for his own actions.”
Chappelle was also willing to speculate about whether or not the California or Nevada commission would ever re-license Margarito. This is an important question because both states are known to be boxing Meccas with top venues (the MGM Grand, for one) where
fighters and promoters reap the most benefits for putting on fights.
When asked the question, Chappelle said: “It might depend on the commission and if there are any changes to the appointees within the commission. Right now California has a relatively new commission but you never know to be honest.”
She continued: “I can't really say whether he will or won't ever receive a license reinstatement in California but it could depend on his potential future opponents agreeing to fight him and whether he apologizes for his wrongdoing down the line.”
Chappelle’s comments seem to draw out that, according to the California commission, the deal breaker was Margarito’s alleged lack of guilt or responsibility for the incident. But this is interesting because, as per Margarito’s story, it wouldn’t be consistent
for him to apologize. He has never admitted blame, so why would he do so in the form of an apology?
The further interesting aspect to this saga is that the boxing world is completely torn on the question of Margarito’s innocence. Former fighter and now Golden Boy CEO Oscar de la Hoya stated repeatedly that he believes Margarito should be banned from the
sport unconditionally for the incident. At the same time, however, a plethora of boxing experts, trainers, and fighters have stood up for Margarito and claimed that it would be perfectly possible for a trainer to plant a substance in gloves or wraps without
a fighter knowing.
Even Shane Mosley—who could have faced incomprehensible punishment and wraith—stuck up for Margarito recently, and said that he should be re-licensed.
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