Commission disables Antonio Margarito’s application for boxing license

By Brett Okamoto

Published Friday, July 9, 2010 | 11:45 a.m.

Updated Friday, July 9, 2010 | 12:20 p.m.

Antonio Margarito appeared before the Nevada State Athletic Commission Friday to apply for a boxing license.

It appears he'll have to do so before the commission in California to get what he wants.

In a 4-1 vote, the commission tabled Margarito's application for a license and encouraged him to return to the California State Athletic Commission that revoked his license for a year in February 2009. Although there is no legal requirement Margarito receive his license there, those in favor of the decision stated California seemed to be a more appropriate venue for the discussion.

Margarito (38-6) received the one-year revocation after a California inspector found illegal substances placed in his hand wraps prior to a WBA welterweight title fight against Shane Mosley on Jan. 24, 2009, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Although the 32-year-old fighter has fully served that punishment, he and attorney David Marroso are hesitant to return to the California commission because of a pending lawsuit they filed as an appeal to its decision.

"We're very disappointed in the commission's decision," Marroso said. "We understand it though and we heard their suggestions. One thing I can tell you, and Antonio would agree with me, is we're not done fighting."

As he did during his February 2009 hearing with the California commission, Margarito stuck to his claim he had no knowledge that his trainer at the time, Javier Capetillo, had placed an irregular substance into his hand wraps for the Mosley fight.

The illegal substance was discovered when Mosley's trainer, Nazim Richardson, requested that Margarito's knuckle pads be inspected closer.

Margarito has replaced Capetillo with Robert Garcia and said he plans on paying closer attention to the details associated with his equipment before a fight.

"There's been a lot of misrepresentation on what happened in January," Margarito said. "I didn't have plaster casts on my hands like some people have commented.

"My former trainer put knuckle pads on that had irregular substances inside. I didn't know about them, truthfully. I would have been the first person to say, 'I can't go out and fight,' if I had known. But I didn't feel anything."

Marroso said he was unsure when Margarito would take his case to the California commission.

Margarito, who fought and won his most recent fight May 8 over Roberto Garcia in Mexico, said he has been waiting to negotiate the terms of his first fight back in the United States until after he's licensed.

It's been reported that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is looking to set Margarito up in a rematch with Miguel Cotto, whom he defeated via TKO in 2008. That fight likely would occur in Las Vegas in December, should Margarito receive his license by then.

In addition to disabling Margarito's request, the commission selected its officials for a lightweight title fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz scheduled for July 31 at Mandalay Bay.

Referee Vic Drakulich will oversee the action in the ring. The three judges scoring the fight will be Patricia Morse Jarman, Jerry Roth and Glenn Trowbridge.

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.