Margarito guilty of foul play?

MANILA, Philippines - Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito can’t seem to shake off the tag as boxing’s “ultra-villain,” the bad boy whom trainer Freddie Roach insists knew his bandages were loaded when authorities discovered traces of sulfur and calcium in the hand-wraps before losing to Sugar Shane Mosley last year.

Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo were suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for the tampered hand-wraps. The fighter claimed no knowledge of the lacing and pointed to Capetillo as the only one to blame, the convenient non-descript fall-guy in the bust. His refusal to confess prompted the California officials to turn down a recent appeal for reinstatement after over a year on the suspended list. The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted, 4-1, to side with California in refusing Margarito a license. And only the Texas State Athletic Commission gave its go-signal, clearing the way for Manny Pacquiao to take on Margarito for the vacant WBC superwelterweight crown at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 13. Texas presumably showed leniency towards Margarito because of its large Hispanic population.

The match-up is the classic duel between a hero and a villain. Nobody doubts Pacquiao’s emergence as the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter today, except Floyd Mayweather and his sycophants. And everybody wants Margarito to get the beating he deserves for disrespecting the fight game.

Margarito’s stained reputation has spawned such nicknames as “Marga-Sleazo,” “Marga-cheato,” “Plast-arito” and “Sneak-arito.” Miguel Cotto, whom Margarito stopped in the 11th round in Las Vegas two years ago, has accused the Mexican of using packed wraps in their bout. The Ring Magazine’s Ivan Goldman said Roach “is convinced Margarito used loaded gloves while sparring at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.”

In contrast, Pacquiao is revered all over the world. Michael Buffer is expected to introduce him in the ring as “the fighting Congressman from Sarangani” before the Margarito bout. He’s become a legend in his own time and a shoo-in for the Boxing Hall of Fame. Margarito’s only guarantee is a ticket to the Hall of Shame.

If the Mexican upsets Pacquiao, he’ll be an overnight sensation – a gunslinger turned into a giant-killer. It’ll be his springboard to redemption and vindication.

The drama of good guy against bad guy is what makes Top Rank chairman Bob Arum conjure visions of a sellout at Cowboys Stadium and astronomical pay-per-view sales. “The one thing you know for sure with a Margarito fight,” said Arum, “is that it will be a hell of a fight for however long it lasts...they’re going to get in there and fight, that’s what people want to see.”

Coming from a year’s layoff, Margarito outpointed Roberto Garcia for the vacant WBC International superwelterweight crown in Mexico last May. Experts saw new trainer Robert Garcia’s influence on his style. Margarito didn’t just bomb away. He methodically worked on punishing Garcia and was never reckless. That kind of poise is what Margarito hopes will throw Pacquiao out of focus.

Garcia said making the catchweight of 151 pounds is no problem for Margarito although he was observed to be walking around close to 180 during the California State Athletic Commission hearings.

“Pacquiao does that (negotiating a catchweight) with all his big fights from Oscar then Cotto, forcing them to drop those pounds,” said Garcia who is also Nonito Donaire’s chief strategist. “He thought it will do the same thing with Margarito but doesn’t know that Tony is well maintained and walks as close to the weight. Arriving at 150 pounds, it will be an easy thing with Margarito. The weight, I assure you, is no problem for us. We still have plenty of time to get strong to fight and there is no danger in this regard.”

Roach said the speculation is Margarito will enter the ring at 165 pounds. But he’s not banking on it. Pacquiao will be ready for the Mexican anti-hero at any weight he checks in – for as long as he makes the limit of 151 at the weigh-in the day before the fight.

Margarito’s wingspan is measured at 73 inches, six more than Pacquiao’s. He stands 5-11 and towers over Pacquiao who is 5-6 1/2. But Roach isn’t worried about the size discrepancy. Neither is Pacquiao’s assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, his Bundini Brown. Fernandez said it’s easier to chop down a tall tree than to cut up a stump.

In choosing Margarito to face Pacquiao, Arum said it was just a case of finding the more marketable opponent.

“Margarito was the better sell,” said Arum in thumbing down a rematch with Cotto. “I’m a businessman and unlike a lot of these promoters who promote with HBO or Showtime money, I use my own money and I concluded that Margarito, given his following among Hispanics – the biggest fight fans in the US – his name recognition and yes, even his notoriety, was a much easier sell than Andre Berto who in his last fight in Miami near his hometown, in a 20,000-seat arena, drew less than a thousand people.”