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Manny Pacquiao’s Nov. 13 fight will not be in Las Vegas

Top Rank removes Antonio Margarito’s license application from commission agenda

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 [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting

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