By Lem Satterfield
Despite the recent decision by the Texas State Athletic Commission to issue a boxing license to Antonio Margarito, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya is holding his position on the opinion that Margarito should be banned for life from the sport of boxing. De La Hoya had applauded the August 18 decision by the California State Athletic Commission to deny Margarito's application for a license.
Until the Texas commission budged, which allows Margarito to face Manny Pacquiao on November 13 Cowboys Stadium, the Mexican boxer was unable to fight in the United States since the day his license was revoked in February 2009. Margarito was found liable by the California commission for an illegal handwraps incident which stems from the fight with Shane Mosley in January 2009.
De La Hoya also denied Margarito's recent allegations that he influenced the California commission to deny his application for a license.
"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," said De La Hoya.
"Obviously, nobody wants to say what they feel. I'm just a voice speaking my mind. So it's my opinion on what I feel about the situation. Because I love this sport. I have passion for this sport. And I don't want to see anybody try to cheat this sport. So that's all that I would say."
Back on August 19, De La Hoya ripped some of the statements that were given by Margarito to the California commission.
"I mean, look, I've already stated what I've said, and I'm going to stick to what I believe. I mean, my sport of boxing, which we all appreciate and which I love, and which I participated in inside of that ring for many years, you know, this is a dangerous sport. And if any body in any which way tries to tamper with anything having to do with the fists or the gloves, you know what? You should be banned for life. That's my stance and that's my position. There's no if's or buts. Like, 'Oh, I've learned from my mistakes,' De La Hoya said.
"Well, what if you would have killed somebody. What? So you should fight again because you learned from your mistakes? That's total nonsense, and my stance will always be that. You do not mess with somebody's life up inside of that ring."
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.