Despite a passionate case presented by Defense Attorney Daniel Petrocelli, the California State Athletic Commission voted 5-1 to deny Antonio Margarito a new boxing license in the state of California. Margarito looked sincerely concerned throughout the hearing, perhaps realizing that future bouts in other states, including his proposed November 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao, could be in jeopardy if he's unable to obtain reinstatement in California. He was questioned at length by Deputy Attorney General Karen Chappelle, who was adamant at driving home the fact that Margarito has done very little to show remorse or rehabilitation for his involvement in the handwrapping scandal that took place prior to his bout with Shane Mosley.
In fact, Chappelle suggested that since his suspension, Margarito's actions prove that he has little concern for the severity of his actions, citing his attempt to get licensed in Las Vegas and Texas before first returning to California, as well as his admission that he's continued to train and, more specifically, spar in California without the use of a sparring permit, which is required by law in the state. Following Chappelle's line of questioning, Margarito answered another barrage of questions from each Commissioner, most of whom seemed focused on the fact that Margarito appeared to be ignorant about his own responsibilities as a professional boxer.
To his credit, Margarito repeatedly stressed his sincerity and promised to ensure that such an incident would never happen again. "I would like, first, to ask for another chance. I guarantee that this will never happen again. Had I known that there was something illegal in the wrapping, I would not have stepped into the ring. I'm glad that it was discovered before it happened. I would like to do this [boxing] again. I am being absolutley sincere that I didn't know," he pleaded. Although most of the Commissioners believed in his sincerity, they still wanted to see some tangible evidence of rehabilitation. In the end, they voted 5-1 in favor of denying Margarito a new license to box in California. Margarito must now wait another year before applying for a boxing license in the state.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HEARING:
On whether or not he currently has a fight scheduled...
Well, that has been heard. I have not signed for that fight [vs. Manny Pacquiao] yet, but it's supposed to be the next fight that I have.
On whether or not he's ever made a public apology to the boxing community...
No. That's what I'm here for. I'm here to answer any of the questions and I am here to make an apology both to the commission and the entire world for not knowing what was in those wrappings.
On whether or not he believes his former trainer, Javier Capitello, was trying to cheat...
I do believe that if he was putting something illegal in the wrapping, then yes. Please believe me, severing my relationship with him was very difficult after so many years, but it had to be done.
On why he didn't come to California first to seek reinstatement...
To Texas, I never went. To Nevada, Top Rank wanted to have the fight over there and that's why we went, but I'm telling you, if you grant my license, again, I would gladly fight over here to show that I'm willing and able to follow the rules of the Calfiornia Commission. If it was granted to me, I would show that I'm willing to follow the rules here before anything else, with any condition that you may give me.
On why he didn't have a proper sparring permit while training with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, California...
That, I did not know. I didn't know I had to hve a permit for sparring. What I did know is that I could not fight without a license here, but I did not know for sparring.
On whether or not he ever asked Capitello why he used the illegal substance on the wraps...
I did speak with him afterwards, after all this happened, and I asked him, why did you do that. He told me, "Yes, son, I did it and it was my mistake." I asked him again, "Why? Why did you do that?" He just said, "Don't ask me that. It was my msitake." So yeah, I did speak with him afterwards.
[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]