Before Antonio Margarito can be licensed to fight in Las Vegas, he must face the California Athletic Commission regarding the issue of the hand-wrapping scandal he was involved in.
Last Friday, Margarito’s request for a new boxing license was tabled in a vote of 4-1 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Margarito is considered to be the next opponent that Manny Pacquiao will goes against in case his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. falls through.
According to Keith Kizer of the Nevada commission, Margarito has to go to California in order to apply. While a Nevada license does not really hinge the reinstatement of Margarito in California, the commissioners felt that Margarito should apply over there first before he applies in Nevada.
Last year, Margarito was suspended in California after a plaster-like substance was discovered in his handwraps before the fight he had against Shane Mosley. The suspension lasted for at least a year, and during the fight, his hands were rewrapped and he subsequently lost to Mosley.
According to Margarito, he had no idea about the illegal wraps that were discovered, and blamed his trainer, Javier Capetillo for it. Capetillo, on the other hand, was also suspended in California.