Margarito Wants to Stay on the Sidelines

Posted by Salvador Rodriguez on 07.30.2009

Says no to a fight in Mexico.

There isn't a rival that Antonio Margarito fears except for the California State Athletic Commission. It's because of them that the Tijuana Tornado prefers to stay on the sidelines even on Mexican soil as he knows that if he fought, the ban that he's currently on in the US can extend longer than one year.

Seen in Nuevo Vallarta this past weekend, the former welterweight champ talked about the possibility of returning to the ring in September in his hometown of Tijuana but reiterated that he'd prefer to hold off until he can regain his license in the U.S.

"I've been in training for a while in hopes of returning in September like it's being talked about but that will all depend on whether or not I can regain my license and if that's so, it would be in the United States and not in Tijuana," explained Margarito. "I'm simply waiting to hear from Bob Arum as to what we're going to do."

Antonio said that he won't fight until he has concrete information on his license. "What I do know is that they're trying to get my license back and it's been six months already and I know that I'm innocent but I don't want to fight in Mexico since that could jeopardize my situation in the States and I'd rather just wait it out instead of facing a harsher punishment," he added.

Margarito was banned for one year by the CSAC after they found a plaster like substance in his handwraps prior to his Jan. 24 bout against Sugar Shane Mosley.

---------------------------------------------

Salvador Rodriguez is a boxing writer for Record out of Mexico City and a regular contributor to 411mania.com.