by James Slater – Though the Texas Commission did not grant disgraced former welterweight ruler Antonio Margarito a licence and allow the Mexican to box on the upcoming March 13th card in Dallas, it seems as though Margarito will now make his inevitable return in his homeland in May. BoxRec have “Tony’s” return listed as taking place in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 8th. The listed opponent? Carson Jones, the 23-year-old light-middleweight who was hoping to fight “Margacheato” on the under-card of the Pacquiao-Clottey bill..
Reportedly, Margarito’s ultimate goal, once he’s got a few wins under his belt, is to face pound-for-pound king Pacquiao some time this year. Sure, there is only a slim chance this could actually happen, but stranger and more bizarre things have happened in boxing before. With promoter Bob Arum still very much behind him despite what happened in the locker room on the night of January 24th 2009, it seems Margarito will remain a high level player in the sport.
But one man who plans to put a halt to Margarito’s plans is Carson Jones himself. As he made clear back when there was a chance he’d get to fight the Mexican on March 13th, the 25-7-1(15) warrior from Oklahoma feels he will administer his own punishment to Margarito by beating him up in the ring, thus ruining any super-fight plans the 30-year-old may have. Perhaps now, if BoxRec is correct, Jones will get his chance, along with what will likely be his career-best payday.
Scheduled for ten rounds up at the 154-pound weight limit, this fight, if it happens, is sure to generate a fair amount of interest and publicity. Many fans, and even some influential members of the media, may well boycott the fight, but others still will watch it and write about it. Like it or not though, Margarito WILL fight again, whether it’s on May 8th and in Mexico or on another date in another place.
Though a good number of people feel a suspension of a little over a year is nowhere near an adequate punishment for the man who tried to use “loaded” gloves, it seems as though Margarito is on the verge of returning to the ring very soon – of course being paid well also. Aside from Margarito himself, Carson Jones (if he gets the gig) may be the only person who is happy about this.
Who will you be rooting for come May 8th?