BOB ARUM STATEMENT
We want to publicly thank the president of the World Boxing Council, Jose Sulaimam, for his forthright and compelling statement regarding the Margarito bandaging situation.
President Sulaimam is 100% correct in stating that Margarito should not be punished since he was totally unaware of the improper bandaging. The commission hearing established Margarito's lack of knowledge and innocence.
The commission punishment is based on the theory that the boxer is the captain of his team and is responsible for any wrongdoing of his trainer or any of his cornermen.
This is not the law.
When Roger Mayweather, trainer for Floyd Mayweather, entered the ring improperly during the Mayweather vs. Judah fight, Roger was punished but the Nevada commission quite properly never suggested that Floyd be punished.
We in America should respect the law, fundamental legal principles and not be swayed by emotion. The 'message' sent by the California Athletic Commission is the wrong message. The correct 'message' is that a person should only be punished if he or she is guilty of wrongdoing. We hope that Margarito will appeal the unjust revocation of his California boxing license.
BOB ARUM, CEO, TOP RANK
