By Mike “Mykers” Boehm – There are undoubtedly certain aspects in boxing that could potentially ruin the sport or a fighter’s reputation. While these situations currently are debated from a day to day basis, one ultimately comes to mind. Antonio Margarito, a great fighter, a great champion…or is he?
There’s no question the illegal hand wrap incident still continues to loom over the ex-champ, but more importantly, was he really a champion? Should Antonio Margarito be allowed to fight again? Since there are so many underlying pieces to the Margarito puzzle, let’s legally unwrap the situation and see if there’s a true champion; one who could potentially and honorably; fight again..
Most fans of Antonio Margarito were all too familiar with his fierce competition, crushing body blows, and granite chin. While he proved to inundate opponents in the ring, his reputation grew tremendously. Margarito saw a continuous rise in his in stocks, and investment that he was proud of. Always a respectable fighter; he continued to dominate competition, and eventually earned his mark in pugilism.
While most of the boxing world felt Margarito was “the next best thing,” his skills and determination would be tested when he fought undefeated Miguel Cotto on July 26, 2008. Many who saw the bout would agree that Cotto took the early initiative, frequently landing a series of punches on Margarito during the early rounds; using his footwork to avoid danger. However, Margarito’s was relentless in his pursuit of Cotto, and began to wear the champ down. During the eleventh round, we saw a devastating combination from Margarito, which sent Cotto to his knee, Cotto beat the count, but Cotto’s corner threw in the towel, after he went down voluntarily a second time.
If you’re a Margarito fan, the success was bitter sweet, a “new champion.” A proud Mexican champion actually, one who would remain quite respected. While most fans were eagerly awaiting Antonio Margarito’s next victim, Shane Mosley was coming off a highly impressive victory over Ricardo Mayorga. Not too long after Mosley’s victory, the two agreed to fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on January 24, 2009. While most Margarito fan’s waited anxiously, many would come to find out that “respect, and world champion,” would soon be tested among the boxing community.
On the night of January 24, 2009, no one anticipated the erroneous outcome of the fight. The fight, between Shane Mosley and Antonio Margarito was “potentially” perceived to be a knockout fight. That is, one way or another someone is going down. Someone did go down…twice.
The fight started as expected, all the pre-acquisitions finally coming forth at the start of the first round. Shane Mosley was determined, as was Antonio Margarito. Although, Mosley went right after Margarito in the first round. Mosley landed punches that were crisp and clean to the body of Margarito. In Margarito’s usual fierce competition, he turned the boxing match into an inside fight. However, with Mosley as clearly the quicker fighter continued to evade punishment.
In the final seconds of round four, we saw Mosley land two right hands that caught Margarito by surprise. Rounds six, was all Shane Mosley. Mosley continued to land punches to the head of Margarito, and soon enough you could see the frustration in Margarito’s eyes. In the eighth, Margarito was utterly subdues by Mosley’s barrage of punches that had Margarito in serious trouble. Mosley continued the hot pursuit and almost had Margarito down and out.
Prior to the ninth round, Antonio Margarito’s corner nearly threw in the towel, but with a quick plee from Margarito, he continued. Essentially too little too late; Mosley ended the fight by pinning Margarito against the ropes and unloading. The referee stopped the fight within good measure; as Antonio Margarito was clearly in position to continue.
While this fight was indeed a good one, for Mosley that is; Antonio Margarito seemed to suffer even more than the loss itself. Before the fight, officials found what one doctor described as plaster hidden in the wrapped hands of Margarito; leading to accusations that Margarito may have been trying to cheat. After the suspicious pads were removed from Margarito, they were placed in a sealed box for later review.
Obviously, as we know now, it was good ole “Plaster of Paris” in the hand wraps of Margarito. Because of the situation, Antonio Margarito and his trainer Javier Capetillo has their licenses temporally suspended by the California State Athletic Commission.
Since these implications are solely reminiscent of the Resto/Colling Jr fight, you simply have to wonder. That is, wonder what kind of punishment Shane Mosley was spared. Aside from Mosley, Did Antonio Margarito use the same tactics against Miguel Cotto? Furthermore, did he ALWAYS use the same tactics against everyone else? Obviously, this situation makes a very difficult case, that only one presumably two men would have the answer to.
The two men, Antonio Margarito, and his trainer Javier Capetillo, surely have had plenty of chances to answer these questions. Although, throwing this over our shoulder; should Margarito be allowed to fight again? My answer is absolutely not!
It’s tough to see a potential great fighter/champion leak slowly through the drain. When all is said and done…Antonio Margarito cheated. There is no argumentable advantage, or for that matter anyway around this. Margarito could have done some serious damage to Shane Mosley. To be honest, I truly believe this is why Margarito lost the fight. His head was not in the game; sensing his dishonesty.
There is no doubt, that Margarito definitely beat Miguel Cotto. However, was that fight as a fraud too? Has Margarito employed the same tactics which he tried to do with the hand wraps in the Mosley fight? Either way, it is a wrong tactic, and all necessary action should be, and will be taken.
Unfortunately, most have waved off this folly as a “miss-understanding.” Since most individuals who have these feeling will argue, until someone’s tongue proves to dry out, it says a lot about their boxing history in general. While this proves to be true in my eyes, I feel they should start waving goodbye to Antonio Margarito.
Antonio Margarito is a great fighter…was a great fighter. No matter how you explain it, Margarito cheated. He could have potentially taken the life of a person, because of his greed. What should be a fair punishment? I’ll agree with most, that ALL hand wraps should be checked and managed by some sort of authority. As for Antonio Margarito in the meantime, it might be wise for him to consider a different profession, or potentially for once legally unwrap his past and address the situation.