Ringside

As if the manner of Antonio Margarito’s defeat to Sugar Shane Mosley wasn’t bad enough, a first career stoppage in a 9^th round knockout, he is now embroiled in a hand wrapping scandal after Mosley’s coach, Nazim Richardson ordered his hands to be re-wrapped three times prior to the bout on Saturday night.

Richardson has stated he saw something fall out of the wrapping when one of his hands was unwrapped, and it appeared to be plaster. Margarito’s other hand was then unwrapped and the same substance was found and removed.

Team Margarito claim that this is merely gauze which hardened as Tony’s hands were wet when this was applied, but the Californian State Athletic Commission is looking into the allegations.

This is a disappointing revelation, which will hopefully amount to nothing as it would be a shame if this was to in some way tarnish Margarito’s impressive victory over Cotto in 2008 and his reputation generally.

I will reserve judgment on this unsavoury incident until all the facts become clear and the Californian Athletic Commission have completed their review, but Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward has already gone on record by saying “he’s [Margarito] tainted everything he has done,” and “now the biggest victory of his career is being questioned” (the win over Cotto).

While this could ultimately prove true, and would impact severely on the Mexican’s legacy, I feel Steward’s comments are a little harsh given we do not yet know all the facts and we should avoid jumping the gun in throwing out, what are very serious allegations.

Should any wrongdoing be confirmed, this may well impact not just Margarito, but his promoters Top Rank, who also promote Cotto, and the Californian Athletic Commission who did not notice anything untoward with the Mexican’s hands, as it was only Nazim Richardson’s persistence that identified the problem with the wrapping.

I’ll keep you posted!

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