Tabled license request irks Margarito promoter

Todd duBoef still is puzzled by the actions of the Nevada Athletic Commission in tabling Antonio Margarito’s request to be licensed in the state.

The Top Rank president, who promotes the former welterweight world champion, said the four commissioners who voted to table the request in the 4-1 verdict might have misread Margarito’s intent.

“He wasn’t trying to make an end-run around California,” duBoef said. “He has no plans to fight in California, so why would he go there to get a license? It doesn’t make sense.”

Margarito served a one-year suspension and had his license revoked after hard inserts were found within his hand wraps prior to his entering the ring for his Jan. 24, 2009, fight with Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. His suspension ended Feb. 10.

Margarito is a possible opponent for Manny Pacquiao should Pacquiao’s proposed Nov. 13 megafight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. fail to materialize. That fight is being targeted for Las Vegas, either at the MGM Grand Garden or the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I think the commission misunderstood Antonio’s motive for appearing before them,” duBoef said. “If he was going to fight in California, by all means, he should apply in California. But he’s not fighting in California.

“His intention is to fight in Nevada, and that’s why we went before the commission (Friday).”

When commissioner Francisco Aguilar asked Margarito during the two hours spent on the agenda item whether he had a fight planned, Margarito said no. DuBoef said he made a mistake in not stepping in at that point and clarifying the situation.

“I probably should have said something,” duBoef said. “But the point is, (Margarito) has no intention to fight in California. He intends to fight in Nevada. So why go to California? Where is California’s incentive to license Margarito if he’s not going to fight there? They don’t benefit at all by licensing him, so why would they?”

DuBoef said the plan for Margarito is to see what happens with Pacquiao-Mayweather. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum recently said that if Mayweather doesn’t sign to fight Pacquiao by mid-July, Pacquiao will move on and they can revisit making the megafight in 2011. DuBoef said he thinks a decision will come by the end of this week.

If Mayweather passes, Top Rank is ready to make a Pacquiao-Margarito fight at the MGM Grand on Nov. 13. If Mayweather accepts, Margarito could face Miguel Cotto in a rematch of their July 26, 2008, fight at the MGM, which Margarito won. It also was the last time Margarito fought in Nevada.

“If we have something tangible with a signed deal for Margarito to fight in Las Vegas, I can’t see Nevada punting again if we go back to them,” duBoef said. “The circumstances would be much different, and I’d be hopeful they would give him a license.”

■ MARQUEZ-DIAZ OFFICIALS — The NAC selected Vic Drakulich to referee the July 31 junior welterweight rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz at Mandalay Bay. The judges will be Patricia Morse-Jarman, Jerry Roth and Glenn Trowbridge, all from Las Vegas.

Robert Byrd has been selected to work the WBO middleweight title bout on the card between Daniel Jacobs and Dmitry Pirog. The judges will be Las Vegas’ C.J. Ross, Duane Ford and Paul Smith.

■ NEW INSPECTOR — The commission approved Alex Aragonez as an inspector. Aragonez, 40, works for the Clark County School District as a technical specialist.

■ CLUB SHOWS — After taking time off to regroup following the April 10 Evander Holyfield-Frans Botha fight at the Thomas & Mack Center, Crown Boxing plans to return to doing club shows at the Mardi Gras Ballroom at The Orleans, beginning Aug. 20. Crown also has an Oct. 22 show planned for The Orleans.

California promoter Roy Englebrecht also is coming back to Nevada, as he plans to host a fight card Oct. 16 at the Silverton Hotel and Casino.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.