BARRISTER RETHINKING MARGARITO’S PUNISHMENT
Pittsburgh, PA- Commentators in sports hold onto their opinions to the point of absurdity, as it seems that changing one’s mind equates to an intolerable weakness. Only politicians admit they are wrong less. With that in mind, I am revisiting my suggestion just after Antonio Margarito’s and trainer Javier Capetillo’s California licensing hearing over the illegal hand wraps they unsuccessfully attempted to use January against Shane Mosley. After hearing from Mosley’s trainer Naazem Richardson in an exclusive ”Ring Talk Radio” appearance, fighters and other trainers, and upon the recent eye-opening revelation that the illegal inserts they were caught with actually contained elements that form plaster of Paris, I have to admit: I (gulp) change my mind.
STATE OF CALI V. MARGARITO AND CAPETILLO
With the lab report proving that Margarito and Capetillo used substances to harden his fists in a sport where the combatants already put themselves at risk of serious head trauma if not worse, the two engaged in unprofessional, unethical, unsportsmanlike and criminal behavior. In order to preserve the integrity of the sport, deter future similar conduct and, frankly, expel these two men who cannot be trusted in terms of health and safety (which cannot take a back seat to anything), the California State Commission should make its revocation of their licenses permanent and should refer their evidence to the District Attorney’s office, requesting criminal charges of conspiracy and attempt to assault Mosley.
THE CHOICE BOB ARUM MADE Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum immediately defended Margarito – who was interestingly only one fight removed from a TKO over Miguel Cotto, another Top Rank star – to the point of declaring that he will boycott California until the Commission reinstates Margarito. His support drew the ire of Cotto, naturally suspicious of what he was being hit with last July. Nevertheless, Arum continues to essentially take the side (and that’s what it is, because he cannot play this down the middle) of the disgraced cheater over a proven champion whose only loss can now be legitimately challenged and who can face the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya or Shane Mosley if he can survive a July challenge from Top Rank’s own Joshua Clotttey. So why would he do that? Some have suggested that’s his job, to protect his client, but I suggest there’s a more likely and tangible reason than loyalty: Money.
THE FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Arum has repeatedly stated that Hispanics make for both terrific fighters and fans, and roughly half of his stable consists of fighters from Mexico or of Mexican descent. (Heck, I saw an impressive presence of Mexican fans come to see Monty Meza-Clay knockout a journeyman Mexican in Pittsburgh last year.) Puerto Rican fans are fiercely loyal too, but Top Rank has about six times as many Mexican/Mexican-American boxers as its number of Puerto Ricans (four). And though Arum would obviously prefer to hold onto Cotto and Juan Manuel Lopez, he had a tough choice to make – whether or not to support Margarito. To do so may estrange a few stars from a very good boxing country, something Arum will probably not take lightly. But, if Arum would have chosen to ostracize a Mexican fighter, he risks a deep business relationship with a country in love with Margarito, including promotions of many fights there, pay-per-view and Azteca America cards that they will surely watch, and an increasing stable featuring cash machine Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.
COTTO’S HIS CLIENT, TOO
To those who suggest that Arum cannot be faulted for zealously defending his client, you should remember that Cotto’s also a client, and one who very well may have been a victim of a crime by Margarito last summer. That’s not like the conflict of interest lawyers have in representing two co-defendants (which, by the way, is also a problem), it’s akin to representing the state and the defendant. No, Arum didn’t just defend his client, he made a choice: Faced with the choice of which country to favor, Puerto Rico or Mexico, he chose the latter. Ironically, in these times, it was the safer choice.
Brian Gorman
Note: Mr. Gorman, a practicing attorney, is one of the resident “stars” featured exclusively at www.RingTalk.com You can leave your (respectful) comments below.