Las Vegas, NV (World Wide Gamble) - Manny Pacquiao will fight on November 13, 2010 after all...just not against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. Instead, the title holder in seven different weight divisions will face, according to multiple sources, the disgraced Antonio Margarito in a bout that has yet to be given a destination. Margarito (37-8-0) and his trainer, Javier Capetillo, had their boxing licence suspended by the California State Athletic Commission after a substance was found inside the boxer's gloves prior to a fight against "Sugar" Shane Mosley in January 2009. The 32-year-old Margarito lost the fight and his WBA welterweight title when Mosley scored a technical knockout 43 seconds into the ninth round. He bested Roberto Garcia in a unanimous decision this past May in his native Mexico but has not been cleared to fight in the United States. The decision to fight Margarito comes after another attempt to sign a deal with Mayweather fell by the wayside. The Mayweather camp did not respond to Bob Arum's self-imposed midnight (pt) cutoff last week, and Pacquiao's agent opted to put the proposed mega-fight on the back burner yet again. Several months ago, Pacquiao (51-3-2) refused to submit random blood tests within 30 days prior to a proposed fight date with Mayweather. Arum, though, said that hurdle has been crossed in the newest negotiations. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old Filipino, who recently became a congressman in his native country, will look for his 13th straight victory in November. |
