GRUDGE REMATCH IS ON: ANTONIO MARGARITO GETS LICENSE TO FIGHT MIGUEL COTTO IN NEW YORK
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 23 Nov 2011
New York - The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) granted today Antonio Margarito's petition for license to fight in the state. After almost two hours of closed door meeting between the three commissioners, the panel decided that Margarito is fit to fight his December 3 rematch with Miguel Cotto at the Madison Square Garden. This was the second public hearing by the commission that pertains to the case. A first one was scheduled last Friday in their Williams St. headquarters but they have failed to come up with a final verdict back then. A decision was made though that Margarito must agree to a meeting with an eye specialist designated by the commission which will be the basis for him obtaining a license to box in New York.
Antonio Margarito suffered an injury to his right eye following his fight with Manny Pacquiao in Dallas, Texas last year. He underwent cataract surgery and had an artificial lens implanted early this year to correct his vision problems. He has not fought since the Pacquiao fight and this will be his first fight in more than a year. New York initially expressed concern on the extent of the injury, hence the delay for his licensure. He flew via a private jet from his training camp in Mexico to New York last Sunday and was seen by renowned eye specialist, Dr. Michael Goldstein yesterday. Margarito then underwent a series of testing performed by Goldstein on his affected eye in his office in Manhattan.
The result of the test was what the commission needed to deliberate and make their final decision on the matter which they released today. An official statement was read by Commissioner Edwin Torres who spoke on behalf of Chairwoman Melvina Latham who was not able to speak in the hearing today because she was suffering from laryngitis. It reads:
"Evidence has been introduced, including by the applicant himself, detailing the rehabilitative steps taken to ensure that all the rules of the commission will be followed. After due consideration of the evidence of rehabilitation, the commission finds the issuance of a license to the applicant not to be contrary to the best interests of boxing. Further, following the thorough examination by Dr. Goldstein, and his testimony that it is his opinion that the condition of Mr. Margarito's eye is such that he's fit to be in the ring, the commission rules that Mr. Margarito's petition for a license in New York is granted."
The decision puts to rest the questions of logistics for the fight. Top Rank has explored other venues in the state of Colorado, Texas and Mississippi as possible alternatives to New York if Margarito's licensure is not granted by the commission. It also gave the more than 15,000 ticket holders of the almost sold out MSG,a sigh of relief of not having to cancel their plans for this big fight weekend. And with that, the city inherits the economic upside that it is expected to gain from this bout. Now that the fight for the venue has been settled, the fight in the ring will soon commence.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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