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By Scott Sanders
I'm not going to make many new boxing friends writing this. I understand that Margarito is reviled by the majority of fight fans. And what he was accused of is a very serious offense. My question is, when does punishment turn into outright vindictiveness?
Let's step aside and just examine the facts. Margarito was found to have illegal substances in his hand wraps before the Mosley fight. He was given a minimum of a one year suspension by the CSAC. The reality is that he is still suspended, as he has no license to box anywhere in the United States. So now it has been almost a year and a half and counting, with only a minor fight in Mexico to sustain him.
There is zero evidence that he has ever actually hit another boxer with loaded gloves. People now are pointing fingers at the Cotto fight as well as others. Chronic cry babies like Kermit Cintron actually think that he is still unbeaten even after twice losing decisively. People point to the facial damage to Cotto as proof. That overlooks the fact that Cotto was hit plenty in that fight and has a history of suffering facial damage in fights.
One of the common arguments against Margarito is that he hasn't shown enough remorse or contrition to be forgiven. That overlooks the fact that Margarito has steadily denied any knowledge of wrongdoing. He has fired his trainer and sat out his year off. Why would he apologize for something he has claimed he was unaware of? That would reveal him as both a cheater and a liar. Many will say it is impossible for him not to know what was in his handwraps, but some fighters (including Shane Mosley) have said it is very possible not to notice while focusing on a pending fight. That raises enough doubt to satisfy me. People are also ignoring that in every previous fight, the wrapping of his hands were signed off on by both the state commission and the opponents' representative. So, are we to believe that Nazeem Richardson was the only one sharp enough to catch this?
Having viewed Margarito's comeback fight in Mexico, it was apparent that the wrapping of his hands was being carefully scrutinized. No doubt that it would be at least as thorough in any fight in the US. It is time to credit Margarito for time served and give him his license to fight in America. He didn't get away with anything. He should now be allowed to ply his trade and make a living.
6-8-2010
I'm not going to make many new boxing friends writing this. I understand that Margarito is reviled by the majority of fight fans. And what he was accused of is a very serious offense. My question is, when does punishment turn into outright vindictiveness?
Let's step aside and just examine the facts. Margarito was found to have illegal substances in his hand wraps before the Mosley fight. He was given a minimum of a one year suspension by the CSAC. The reality is that he is still suspended, as he has no license to box anywhere in the United States. So now it has been almost a year and a half and counting, with only a minor fight in Mexico to sustain him.
There is zero evidence that he has ever actually hit another boxer with loaded gloves. People now are pointing fingers at the Cotto fight as well as others. Chronic cry babies like Kermit Cintron actually think that he is still unbeaten even after twice losing decisively. People point to the facial damage to Cotto as proof. That overlooks the fact that Cotto was hit plenty in that fight and has a history of suffering facial damage in fights.
One of the common arguments against Margarito is that he hasn't shown enough remorse or contrition to be forgiven. That overlooks the fact that Margarito has steadily denied any knowledge of wrongdoing. He has fired his trainer and sat out his year off. Why would he apologize for something he has claimed he was unaware of? That would reveal him as both a cheater and a liar. Many will say it is impossible for him not to know what was in his handwraps, but some fighters (including Shane Mosley) have said it is very possible not to notice while focusing on a pending fight. That raises enough doubt to satisfy me. People are also ignoring that in every previous fight, the wrapping of his hands were signed off on by both the state commission and the opponents' representative. So, are we to believe that Nazeem Richardson was the only one sharp enough to catch this?
Having viewed Margarito's comeback fight in Mexico, it was apparent that the wrapping of his hands was being carefully scrutinized. No doubt that it would be at least as thorough in any fight in the US. It is time to credit Margarito for time served and give him his license to fight in America. He didn't get away with anything. He should now be allowed to ply his trade and make a living.
6-8-2010
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