Margacheato denied for now in Nevada

[Diane]

Well I was able to get a play by play of Margacheato's hearing today via Dan Rafael in his chat. He was able to listen in via telephone conferencing, and he did his best to give us the run down.

Dan Rafael (12:51 PM)

They have gotten to the Margarito section of the meeting. This should be interesting.

Dan Rafael (12:51 PM)

Some preliminary stuff going on right now. Lawyers talking to the commission and going through some technical stuff.

Dan Rafael (12:58 PM)

Margarito's attorney is making a presentation right now. Basically talking about Margarito's record has been spotless to this point and talking about how the past California inspector testified that he had done many of Margarito's fights and never suspected him of cheating.

Dan Rafael (1:02 PM)

The Margarito thing is getting interesting.

Dan Rafael (1:03 PM)

The chairman of the commission, Pat Lundvall -- she just interrupted Margarito's attorney and basically told him they are not going to retry the case from California.

Dan Rafael (1:07 PM)

It could be awhile. The lawyer is still in his opening remarks.

Dan Rafael (1:12 PM)

Margarito is now being questioned by the commissioners. He has a female translator from his attorney's firm translating for him.

Dan Rafael (1:14 PM)

Margarito is saying it was pre-made knucklepads that Capetillo put on his hands before the Mosley fight. He said it is the only time Capetillo ever used a pre-made pad.

Dan Rafael (1:15 PM)

The commissioners are on him pretty good right now. Margarito said he did not ask Capetillo why he used a pre-made knucklepad for the fight even though it was out of the ordinary.

Dan Rafael (1:24 PM)

Still denying he knew anything was in the wraps. He just said, "Sincerely I did not feel anything in the wrapping."

Dan Rafael (1:32 PM)

They are having a discussion about specifics of the hand wrapping and the routine that was usually followed. Margarito said again he didnt see anything different or feel anything different when he flexed his hand. He said, "I felt the wraps were fine."

Dan Rafael (1:40 PM)

You got it. Right now the lawyer is making the point that when Margarito was asked for his hands after Naazim objected he was very cooperative with the commission inspector and offered no resistance when asked for his glove or when the wraps were about to be cut off.

Dan Rafael (1:47 PM)

OK, the lawyer is done. Now Margarito himself is formally addressing the commission.

Dan Rafael (1:47 PM)

He is thanking the commission for considering the application and says he appreciates their time.

Dan Rafael (1:48 PM)

Margarito said he would never do anything to dishonor or discredit boxing.

Dan Rafael (1:48 PM)

He is talking about his previously clean reputation of having never been accused of cheating. "I was as proud of that reputation as I was of my record in the ring."

Dan Rafael (1:49 PM)

He is saying, "I understand you will have questions for me and I will answer them with the truth exactly as I did when I presented myself to the commission in California. I didnt have plater of Paris on my hads as some people have commented incorrectly."

Dan Rafael (1:50 PM)

"Before the fight my trainer Javier Capetillo, my former trainer, put a knuckle pad made of gauze on my hand. I learned later the knuckle pad hd something irregular on the inside but I didnt know that truthfully in the moment."

Dan Rafael (1:50 PM)

"The knuckle pad didnt seem diffent to ones he had put on my hands before."

Dan Rafael (1:51 PM)

"I never felt anything hard or irregular. Evertthing I felt was that it was a knucklepad that was normal. In that moment I was focused on one thing and that was preparing myself to go out to the fight with Mosley."

Dan Rafael (1:51 PM)

"If 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."

Dan Rafael (1:53 PM)

"I had many opportunities to fight in the past year (during the revocation period) but I respected the rules of hte commission. I thought about and talked to my family and decided not to fight."

Dan Rafael (1:54 PM)

"Over the past year I have taken steps, spoken to my new trainer about the wrapping process about not breaking the rules. I have paid a very high price this past year."

Dan Rafael (1:55 PM)

"I received many offers during my year punishment and what I decided was not to fight. I paid a high prioce but I think I've earned the right to come before you and ask respectfully for a license to restore my reputation with the fans."

Dan Rafael (1:55 PM)

His statement is over. Now he is being questioned by the chairman.

Dan Rafael (1:57 PM)

I am not sure if he was reading or doing it off the cuff, but it sounded like prepared remarks.

Dan Rafael (1:57 PM)

"I accept responsibility because they are my hands and that is why I have taken steps to make sure this never happens again."

Dan Rafael (1:58 PM)

He is saying he will now be more involved in the wrapping process rather just let his trainer do it and zone out.

Dan Rafael (1:58 PM)

"I am going to be involved in the process and reviewing the materials that go on my hands."

Dan Rafael (1:59 PM)

He was asked why he hasn't reapplied in California.

Dan Rafael (2:00 PM)

"They gave me a punishment for one year. I havent gone back. I've already satisfied the punishment they gave me."

Dan Rafael (2:01 PM)

He is being asked again why he wouldn't go back and apply in California.

Dan Rafael (2:02 PM)

"I come here to the commission in Nevada to show the world I dont need to use anything on my hands."

Dan Rafael (2:02 PM)

He is not answering the question, obviously.

Dan Rafael (2:02 PM)

"I've already met the punishment they gave me. I think even today they probably wouldn't give me a license and I don't think that's fair."

Dan Rafael (2:03 PM)

He was asked if the Cali punishment was fair. "It is just (meaning justified) because they found something irregular. If I would have noticved I wouldn't have gone out (to the fight)."

Dan Rafael (2:03 PM)

The lawyer is saying they are in Nevada because he's suing California.

Dan Rafael (2:04 PM)

And he is making the point that they are not obligated that they have to apply in Cali and that he can apply anywhere he wants.

Dan Rafael (2:04 PM)

A commissioner just asked what could have happened to Shane had they not discovered those wraps.

Dan Rafael (2:05 PM)

His answer -- "It would have been harm to Shane Mosley. It would have put him in danger. If I had known there is no way I would have gone out there."

Dan Rafael (2:06 PM)

A commissioner has asked to go into deliberations.

Dan Rafael (2:09 PM)

Commissioner Skip Avansino is saying he should have gone to Cali to apply because they have the files and are well versed in the case. He says he knows there is no obligation to do that and that Nevada is cvapable of voting up or down but he suggests to Margarito that it could be his in his best interest to return to California. He says he has served his time in California and they would be willing to listen to his testimony and statements. "I think he needs to go to Calif and clean this matter up. They should be the first to rule."

Dan Rafael (2:09 PM)

This is getting interesting.

Dan Rafael (2:11 PM)

The chairman is disagreeing with Avansino and saying Nevada should be able to vote without him having to go to California.

Dan Rafael (2:12 PM)

Chairman Lundvall: "I do nto think he has aduty legally or morally to go back to California."

Dan Rafael (2:12 PM)

She is saying she understands because of the lawsuit pending.

Dan Rafael (2:13 PM)

Lundvall: "It is incumbent upon this commission to act upon the application."

Dan Rafael (2:13 PM)

Avansino made a motion to table the application until he goes back to California.

Dan Rafael (2:14 PM)

Commissioner Bill Brady just seconded the motion from Avansino.

Dan Rafael (2:16 PM)

They are clarifying the motion is not to deny the application (which would basically give him a one-year suspension). The motion is to table the application so he can go to Calif.

Dan Rafael (2:17 PM)

They're getting real technical with the rules

Dan Rafael (2:20 PM)

They are questioning if he is remoreful right now.

Dan Rafael (2:21 PM)

T.J. Day, another commissioner, agrees with the motion. Lundvall says she does not support the motion and wants to procede.

Dan Rafael (2:22 PM)

She said, "There is not value in kicking the can down the road." She wants Nevada to take a stand.

Dan Rafael (2:22 PM)

This is a real nailbiter I gotta tell you. I have no idea what is about to happen.

Dan Rafael (2:23 PM)

I see both sides. On one hand he can apply anywhere under the rules. So he doesn't have to go back to Cali. On the other hand, California is where this happened, so some commissioners want to defer to the state.

Dan Rafael (2:24 PM)

Lundvall is going strong for Margarito. She says he deserves another chance.

Dan Rafael (2:24 PM)

She said: "Asking for us to make a decision on his application he deserves that kind of answer instead of us passing it on to someone else."

Dan Rafael (2:25 PM)

She said she supports his application and Avansino is still calling for a vote.

Dan Rafael (2:26 PM)

They voted. 4-1. The commission has made a decison that it is not taking any action!

Dan Rafael (2:26 PM)

WOW!

Dan Rafael (2:26 PM)

They say he should go back to Calif. After that a process he is invited back to Nevada.

Dan Rafael (2:26 PM)

I am fairly stunned right now.

Dan Rafael (2:26 PM)

For the record -- Lundvall was the yes vote.

Dan Rafael (2:28 PM)

Damn, that was very surprising. That was an outcome I hadn't contemplated.

[Nameless]

At least he can't enter Nevada yet... that's the good part. The bad part is that it seems that Uncle Bob and a firm of good lawyers might be able to top the cake with shit.

[MMASUX]

I was suprised with this decision. I thought for sure he would get his liscense back.

[jdonaher1]

F-him, I hope he never gets it back (but I'm sure he will eventually). That SOB is lucky he isn't in jail. I can't believe the California commission wouldn't turn over evidence to the police to investigate (probably be they would see how much they screwed it up). He should have been jailed for attempted assault at least.

[Kel]

Good news!

[Spicoli]

May not be the most popular but can see that they wouldnt over rule one way or another Ca. Think the kicker is the lawsuit mentioned as reason they have not gone to Ca ?

[El Kabong]

So proud of the Nevada Athletic Commission! They asked the right questions, they used their heads, and they came to the right conclusions #1 The incident in question happened in California #2 The California Athletic Commission has all the information and evidence and that is also the most likely reason that Margarito has avoided going back to California to get his license back.

[Hunter]

Glad to hear, it is kind of surprising, usually when athletes do something wrong they are eventually welcomed back with open arms (ie basketball players choking coaches, players throwing punches during games etc), but I guess this is different. Margarito could have killed someone and more than likely shortened at least Cottos and Cintrons careers if not more.......

[:::PSL:::]

Cheato had plenty of chance to admit his guilt and apologize. But he still think people are stupid to buy his bs. Arum is such a scumbag for continueing his business with this guy.

[amat]

No Margarito fan but it's kind of dumb that they didn't vote yes or no, what was the point of him going there if they were just going to tell him to go back to cali. Couldn't they have done that from the jump?

[fury]

thats his how own fault..

[Mar]

...crazy anyone wants to see this jerk off fight.

[Hunter]

They should make Margarito take a lie detector test and if he fails let Cotto and Cintron wail on his ass for a 10 rounds with loaded gloves.

Than I have no problem with him getting his license back.....

[DaxxKahn]

Though I can care less about Margarito himself in general fact is the man dealt with the punishment inflicted...This becomes one of those game of a.... well we will allow him to fight here...He isn't fighting here...Thats OK well will go to such and such.....Either ban him from the sport period or let him fight.....The sport has had this flaw way way too long...they played the same games with Ali after his exile from boxing.....

IMO when a fighter is being penalized for such things as what Margarito did or things like Judah did to Nady etc.... The punishment should be carried to all states and I also think that more then just that state should make the decision on what the punishment will be by vote to avoid such things....A commission lets say of the 3 biggest boxing states EG- Nevada, NY,California all decide together what the punishment will be....Then all states must follow it be it good or bad in their opps...

Shit like this causes prombles with

A. Waste of money with the hearings, the appeals and so on...People forget these things are being done on the tax payers dime not the promoters...These are state paid officials...IMO there are more things the $50,000 and more wasted on these hearings could do for the residents of the state

B. It causes promotional problems to where promoters will bring fights to places that have no business having fights states with inexperienced commissions, laxed rules and pretty much all out ignorance on how things should be handled...Resulting in major problems and fighters getting away with things like fooling drug test, coming in off weight and so on

C. It is just flat out bad for the sport makes everyone look like a bunch of Yahoo's and when a state will let the guy fight there after him being rejected in 10 other states it makes them look like they are on the take which makes boxing look corrupt.

Either ban the man or let him fight....He did his punishment...You can't punish him the fact the commission made a stupid mistake and did not ban him for life the first time

[Master]

Reading that I think Marg may be innocent.