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Friday, July 30, 2010 | 5:47 p.m.
A world title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 very well may take place in the U.S.
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, it won't take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena or anywhere else in Southern Nevada.
Top Rank officials on Friday withdrew a request to the Nevada State Athletic Commission to add Margarito's application for a provisional one-fight license to its Aug. 9 agenda.
"Through conversations we've had, I didn't think we had any chance of prevailing in that meeting," said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. "We took it off the calendar. We're not counting on Las Vegas."
Margarito, who had his license revoked for one year in February 2009 when an illegal substance was found in his hand wraps prior to a fight with Shane Mosley, instead will appear before the California commission Aug. 18 on a special hearing.
Although Arum wouldn't go into details on venues, the fight now could take place at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"We've moved on, and he's going to go before the California commission," Arum said. "Hopefully, they'll be fair and approve his license, and then we'll announce where the fight is going to be."
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting
He shouldn't be able to box anywhere!! My freind, among others, lost their careeer because of scumbags like this. I hope Manny puts him in a coma. As much as I would have loved to attend this fight I'm glad the NV Boxing Comiission did the right thing.
Stay sharp Manny!!! Mayweather can't duck forever (or can he??) See you at W.C.!!
I trust in Manny to fight that Margarita pizza down while some players at MGM Grand can bet some serious money without being disturbed by fans scanting and marching through the casino.
Regards
Banana_Joe
Wow. What a disappointment all the way around. It was supposed to be Manny and Floyd. No Floyd and now no Manny. I guess MGM will have to lower room rates that weekend. See: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul...
Margarito is a cheat and should not be allowed to fight. This is a nothing bout, just a payday for Margarito. Won't last more than 5 rounds.
This sucks. Cost our city lots of money. Good fights at MGM bring the players inn, and they bring in the $$$.
This match is not a boom for las vegas or a good fight.Margarito has only fought once in over a year.
So many better fights could be rather then this sad fight.
Las Vegas is in the tourism business and Fight Night is one of those days that Vegas can
welcome many boxing fans. Pacquiao has a lot fans not only from California but all over the United States and beyond. This is an opportunity missed if the fight gets held somewhere else.
This hurts vegas big time---way to go boxing--hit us while we are down! This sport can't seem to ever do anything right. The boxers--the management or the commission.