I think so. Margarito was, to my recollection, a very loved and respected figure in boxing pre-Mosley.

People were sympathetic to him because he had been avoided for years and was finally getting the big fights. People loved his aggressive, exciting style and the fact that he embodied the hard working, blue collar athlete. I don't remember anyone openly hating Margarito, seemed like he got nothing but love until it turned out he was a cheesy cheater.

I think the same would have happened with Holyfield. I think a lot of people kind of secretly disliked him for whipping Tyson, and if it came out that he was loading his gloves people would have discounted his big wins and hated him just as bad as they hated Margarito.

That's a very serious offense, I think a lot of people felt cheated by what Marg did, even more so than if he was found to be using PEDs.

I think loading gloves is an even worse offense than PEDs.