Antonio Margarito’s Redemption

Antonio Margarito’s Redemption

By Loren Robinson

There are numerous questions about Antonio “Tijuana’s Tornado” Margarito. Did he really not know that his former trainer Javier Capetillo tampered with his hand wraps? How many boxing matches did Antonio Margarito fight with tampered hand wraps? Was the punishment severe enough for the actions he committed? Should he be banned from boxing forever? Does he deserve the chance to fight arguably the best boxer in the world Manny Pacquiao? Antonio Margarito is now one of the most controversial and hated men in boxing. However, he wants to get his boxing license back so that he can get redemption.

Antonio Margarito on January 24th, 2009 was in his dressing room preparing for his boxing match against Shane Mosley. Shane Mosley’s trainer Naazim Richardson noticed that something did not look right with Antonio Margarito’s hand wraps. Then, the California officials cut off the wraps to check them. He had illegal pads coated in a plaster like substance in each of his hand wraps. Antonio Margarito and his former trainer Javier Capetillo licenses were revoked because of the incident. Antonio Maragarito swears to this day he did not know that something was wrong his hand wraps. “I would have noticed there was something irregular or wrong I would have been the first person to say I can’t go out and fight” said Antonio Margarito (sports.espn.go.com/sports).

Antonio Margarito has many strengths as a boxer. He has excellent endurance. He routinely throws over 1,000 punches in a fight. For instance, his boxing match against Joshua Clottey he set a Compubox all-time record by throwing 1,675 punches in a 12-round bout (www.champsuk.com). He likes to pressure his opponents and to wear them down. He is an excellent body puncher. He has good punching power. He also has an iron chin. He has only been knocked out once in his career. His weaknesses include his defense. He takes a lot of unnecessary punishment in his boxing matches. His offense is his defense. Additionally, he has below average hand speed.

Antonio Margarito has served his punishment by not boxing in America for a year. He tried to get a boxing license in Nevada. After a two hour hearing on July 9th a panal voted 4-1 to table his application (sports.espn.go.com/sports). He was told he needs to apply for a license in California before Nevada will again consider his request. However, Antonio Margarito and his attorneys on July 21st filed a legal brief requesting a one fight-license in Nevada. “Time is of the essence and we cannot wait for California Commission to decide whether and when it will consider Margarito’s application” said attorney David Marroso (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com).

Antonio Margarito will be facing Manny Pacquiao for the vacant WBC junior middleweight championship on November 13th (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com). It will give Manny Pacquiao a chance to fight for his eighth world title. If Antonio Margarito’s bid for a license in Nevada falls through the boxing match will take place in Monterrey, Mexico (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com).

Antonio Maragarito is trying to rejuvenate his boxing career. The illegal pads he got caught with puts into question all of his accomplishments. Yet, Antonio Margarito is on the brink of the biggest opportunity of his career. He could silence his critics if he pulled off the upset to defeat Manny Pacquiao. It would give Antonio Margarito redemption.

Works Cited
24 July 2010 http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=5367426
24 July 2010 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/07/antonio-margarito-seeks-onefight-license-in-vegas-to-face-manny-pacquiao.html
24 July 2010 http://www.champsuk.com/i-1428/mexican-warriors-antonio-margarito-former-welterweight-world-champ-and-jorge-arce-3-weight-world-champ-dual-signed-everlast-glove–.html
24 July 2010 http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23072010/58/pacquiao-face-margarito.html

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.