California boxing panel denies Margarito license

Antonio Margarito's request for a boxing license in California was denied Wednesday, but the ruling doesn't jeopardize the former world welterweight champion's Nov. 13 fight against Manny Pacquiao.

Margarito was suspended for a year by the California State Athletic Commission after hard inserts were found in his hand wraps before his January 2009 fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.

The CSAC voted 5-1 to reject Margarito's application, but he is free to seek a license in another jurisdiction.

On July 9, the Nevada Athletic Commission voted 4-1 to table Margarito's request for a license and recommended that he return to California to try to resolve his issues there first.

Wednesday's ruling doesn't prevent Margarito from returning to Nevada, NAC executive director Keith Kizer said.

"All the commission asked him to do was reapply in California and let them act on it," Kizer said.

NAC chairperson Pat Lundvall said: "I can't speak for the entire commission, but from my standpoint, Nevada is obligated to set its own policy. We do not have to comply with what other states decide to do.

"Since Mr. Margarito satisfied the request that he seek a license in California, I see no reason why he can't reappear before our commission and seek a license."

Margarito might also seek a license in Texas, as promoter Top Rank is expected to have the Pacquiao-Margarito bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Another option would be to fight outside the United States. Mexico and the United Arab Emirates have expressed interest in hosting the bout.

"It all depends on what Top Rank wants me to do," Margarito said in a statement released after Wednesday's hearing. "If Top Rank wants me to come back to California in a year, I'll do that. If not, we'll fight somewhere else."

After 5½ hours of listening to testimony and arguments in Los Angeles, the CSAC commissioners spent a few minutes deliberating the motion to deny Margarito's request.

"Obviously, we're very disappointed in the commission's decision," said Daniel Petrocelli, Margarito's Los Angeles-based attorney. "My sense was they weren't concerned about Tony's case but some future boxer, and they used Tony as an example, which is unfortunate."

Petrocelli said Margarito's camp will explore its options, including a return to Nevada.

"We're legally free to apply anywhere," he said. "We're going to see where this decision takes us. We'll meet with Mr. Margarito, his trainer (Robert Garcia), Top Rank and see where we go from here."

Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913.