By Lem Satterfield
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is furious with Friday's decision by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Former three time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito appeared before the Nevada commission with respect to his recently submitted application to obtain a license to box in the state. A panel of commission members voted 4-1 to table his application, and directed Margarito to re-apply for a license in the state of California.
Margarito's license was revoked last February by the California State Athletic Commission for a period of one-year. Prior to his fight with Shane Mosley on January 24, 2009, inserts containing a plaster-like substance were discovered in his handwraps. The California commission found Margarito liable for the incident.
A license to box in the state of Nevada was crucial to Margarito, and Top Rank, for two potential fights on their radar. If Floyd Mayweather Jr. turns down a proposal to fight Manny Pacquiao on November 13, Margarito was one of the frontrunners to replace Mayweather. If Mayweather accepts the proposal, Top Rank was interested in putting together a Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto rematch in December. Because of Nevada's recent decision, Margarito is unable to fight Pacquiao or Cotto in Las Vegas.
"The only person with an balls on that commission is the chairwoman, Pat Lundvall, I mean, that is an absolute outrage not to have voted on this licensing decision. It's just an outrage," said Arum. "Pat Lundvall said it best: This demanded an up or a down vote. So I am totally, totally chagrined at how gut-less the members of the commission are. The chairwoman was absolutely correct."
Margarito re-applying in the state of California could be an issue. He filed a lawsuit against the state of California for revoking his license. Margarito claims trainer Javier Capetillo, who also lost his license, placed the inserts in his handwraps without his knowledge.
"[The decision] only means that Margarito's next big fight will be is going to be in Mexico," Arum said.
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.