De la Hoya responds to Margarito accusation
The Golden Boy himself, Oscar de la Hoya, has responded to comments made by Antonio Margarito yesterday that he influenced the California State Athletic Commission in their decision to reject his appeal for a boxing license. De la Hoya’s response is the latest segment in an ongoing feud between the two.
De la Hoya said: “Well, obviously, people know the way that I feel about that situation, but I've never spoken to the commission. The commission's never spoken to me. I'm just a voice for everyone who feels the way that I do.”
De la Hoya has been vocal in condemning Margarito for events which marred a January 2009 fight with “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Margarito’s hand wraps were found to be loaded. Margarito was banned from the sport soon after, and De la Hoya stated that Margarito should be banned for life despite the fact that the fighter plead he was unaware of the illegal substance.
As well, De la Hoya, who held titles in seven weight divisions, implied that people were afraid to say that they really felt about the incident. “Obviously nobody wants to say what they feel,” he snapped.
Part of the feud no doubt stems from the fact that Mosley is represented by De la Hoya’s promotional company Golden Boy Promotions. Margarito, on the other hand, belongs to Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who likewise represents the interests of Manny Pacquiao.
For months relations have been strained between Top Rank and Golden Boy due to a failure to launch a bout between pound-for-pound No.1 Manny Pacquiao and No 2 Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Yesterday at a conference to promote his upcoming November bout with Pacquiao, Margarito had challenged De la Hoya and invited him to the ring. “I don't know what he has against me, I really don't understand, what I do know is that he had a big influence in the California State Athletic Commission with everything he said against me. I am upset because he talked too much and said some nasty things and he has a shady past himself that most of us know about.”
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