By Ronnie Nathanielsz
An angry Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has blasted the decision of the California State Athletic Commission revoking the license of former WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito after his trainer Javier Capetillo took full responsibility for using a plaster-like substance on Margarito’s hand wraps before his title defense against Shane Mosley.
In an overseas telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Arum said “they revoked his license because his trainer allegedly did something which he knew nothing about. This is crazy.” The outraged Arum added, "You talk about lack of justice. I mean, what's happening in America?"
Arum criticized the decision as “absolutely outrageous” and said he would appeal the decision in the California State court and apply to other states to license Margarito because he didn’t do anything and they said he didn’t do anything .”
Arum noted that “under the Muhammad Ali Act other states could license him.”
He also disclosed that “every city in Mexico making statements saying he is welcome to fight there.”
Arum insisted “this kid did nothing and all their inspectors said he knew nothing. This is terrible. People are losing their minds in this country.” He vowed not to stage any more fights in California as long as Margarito remained suspended.
Earlier, Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym conditioning expert Alex Ariza told us “Freddie was very disappointed and Freddie is of the opinion that it might be true that Margarito had not known.”
Ariza noted that some trainers and handlers “are very crafty with their hand-wrapping.” He said it regrettably “cast a shadow over everything he (Margarito) has done.”
Margarito also got support from Mayor Jorge Ramos of his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico who invited the former world champion to fight in Tijuana anytime.
After hearing the decision of the California State Athletic Commission to revoke Margarito’s license for one year, Mayor Ramos was quoted as saying “We welcome Antonio Margarito with open arms and want him to know that when he is ready to fight again we want him to come to his hometown. He has been an exemplary athlete and has for many years represented the city of Tijuana with great pride and honor so it is natural for us to continue to support him in his career that should not be blemished by a Commission that was not presented with evidence of any wrongdoing by our native son.”
During his appearance before the Commission, the former world champion who was regarded as one of the hardest punchers and an exciting fighter said he merely held up his fists for his trainer to hand wrap prior to his first title defense against Shane Mosley at the Staples Center last January 24 which Mosley won by a 9th round TKO.
Mosley’s trainer Nazim Richardson who was in Margarito’s dressing room raised the issue of the placing of pads with a substance that allegedly hardened when wet, much like Plaster of Paris used in casts., forcing the California State Inspector Dean Lohuis to declare the hand wrap illegal.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Commissioner Dr. Christopher Giza told Margarito “when you’re the top dog, you bear some responsibility for your team.”
The suspension of Margarito comes at a time of one scandal after another in American sports with Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps who won a record-shattering eight gold medals in Beijing getting a slap on the wrists after being shown smoking pot and admitting it while top baseball players such as Alex Rodriguez admitted taking performance-enhancing steroids.
