Margarito cleared of using handwraps against Cotto

[Pugilistic]

Margarito cleared of wrongdoing in July 2008 victory over Cotto Story Highlights
Nevada has cleared Antonio Margarito in his 2008 victory over Miguel Cotto
Margarito is still being investigated for his recent loss to Shane Mosley
He's accused of hiding a hard, plaster-like substance inside his gloves

By Chris Mannix, SI.com



Antonio Margarito (right) defeated former welterweight champion Miguel Cotto last July.
AP




NEW YORK -- While he awaits the results of a California State Athletic Commission investigation into whether he attempted to pack his taped hands with an illegal substance before his WBA welterweight title fight against Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing in his July 2008 win over former welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

Speculation has been that Margarito, who is being accused of attempting to apply a plaster-like substance under his tape to increase his punching power before his fight with Mosley, may have attempted this tactic before, specifically in his brutal win over Cotto. Not so, according to Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

"You can't prove a negative," Kizer told SI.com. "But I'm as certain as I can be that Margarito did not do anything illegal against Cotto."

According to Kizer, fighters are closely monitored during the taping process in Nevada. Representatives of the commission check and recheck the fighters' hands, and the opposing trainers are allowed to be present during the taping.

It is not uncommon, according to Kizer, for fighters to attempt to add extra padding to their tape in order to protect their hands during a fight. Oscar De La Hoya's camp asked to be allowed to place an extra strip of tape on De La Hoya's hands before his recent fight with Manny Pacquiao but was denied because even an extra strip is against the commission's rules.

"Most of the time, fighters are just trying to protect their hands," said Kizer. "I've heard of fighters wanting to put tissue inside their gloves to keep their hands safe."

Kizer said he hopes that the situation with Margarito turns out to be a misunderstanding.

"I hope nothing comes of this," said Kizer. "It's dangerous for any fighter to do anything illegal that could add to their punching power. Think about it -- what if one of the punches kills someone? Now we're talking about manslaughter."

Still, if Margarito is suspended in California, said Kizer, Nevada will "respect the suspension" and not permit Margarito to fight in Las Vegas for the length of the suspension. Kizer added that even if Margarito, who is not currently licensed in Nevada, was not suspended, the boxer would have to satisfactorily explain his actions to the Nevada commission before they would agree to license him.

The results of the California investigation are expected to be announced this week.

[kingfrnk]

So he really beat Cotto then. Oh well bad news for Danny.

[Trainer Monkey]

Glad to hear it

[Kel]

"According to Kizer, fighters are closely monitored during the taping process in Nevada. Representatives of the commission check and recheck the fighters' hands, and the opposing trainers are allowed to be present during the taping"

So what? Does this mean it was impossible? We know trainers can be present but how often do they bother really?

So that leaves just the representatives. Is that really concrete(no pun intended)comfirmation that nothing was in his wraps for the Cotto fight?

[Spicoli]

My first reaction is...NO SHIT! Tells us what we alredy know Cotto got defeated clean.No re-dos...no 2nd place compensation door prizes.Stick with the FACTS and give up the revisionist history!!That wont make two shites difference to many...The dye is cast,Minds made up on half truths and inconclusive allegations....the circus horse has left the barn with far to many willing riders aboard.

[Chino]

So he really beat Cotto then. Oh well bad news for Danny.

Aw maaaan, I told him to relax a little and wait until it was 100% confirmed that he cheated or he would make a fool of himself ONCE AGAIN. What excuse now Danny?
Margarito didn’t look like he wanted to hide something so I can imagine, and hope, that he was not aware of what the corner was doing. If I had all the guilt on my back I wouldn't be parading my hand wraps around the ring up high after winning a match.
Still being investigated for his recent match with Mosley? I don't get it. Didn't they made him redo his hands all over again right there on the spot?

[AdamGB]

Danny...

Wuh oh.

[AdamGB]

To be honest I really don't see Danny calming down about this anyway.

We all know what he is like.

[ElTerribleMorales]

well amazingly enough he hasn't said shit yet lol

[Lance Uppercut]

Uhh...so they are saying he is clear because they do such a good job. Sounds like they are trying to pat themselves on the back.

[Beanflicker]

How gullable can you people be. How in the blue hell can this guy know this for sure? He's just doing damage control and you people are falling for it. He just wants to quarentine this incident so that HE and his organization won't look like the joke that they are.

Think about it. If Nazim never checked his wraps and found the illegal object himself, we would NEVER have known about it and this chump would be saying that he knows for certain Marg didn't cheat.

This is boxing, people, regretably one of the slimiest, shadiest businesses around. Don't be so gullable.

[Kel]

How gullable can you people be. How in the blue hell can this guy know this for sure? He's just doing damage control and you people are falling for it. He just wants to quarentine this incident so that HE and his organization won't look like the joke that they are.

Think about it. If Nazim never checked his wraps and found the illegal object himself, we would NEVER have known about it and this chump would be saying that he knows for certain Marg didn't cheat.

This is boxing, people, regretably one of the slimiest, shadiest businesses around. Don't be so gullable.

That was my point exactly, what do people think think he was going to say?

[ElTerribleMorales]

all i have to say is the Panama Lewis incident

[Violent Demise]

"According to Kizer, fighters are closely monitored during the taping process in Nevada. Representatives of the commission check and recheck the fighters' hands, and the opposing trainers are allowed to be present during the taping"

So what? Does this mean it was impossible? We know trainers can be present but how often do they bother really?

So that leaves just the representatives. Is that really concrete(no pun intended)comfirmation that nothing was in his wraps for the Cotto fight?

Is that still not good enough? You talking like he's guilty. What proof you got?

[Violent Demise]

all i have to say is the Panama Lewis incident

Margarito removed all the padding from his gloves? Damn I wasn't aware of that.