Top Rank promoter, Bob Arum, told FanHouse he will not be able to return Mexico’s Antonio Margarito to the March 13 undercard of a WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title defense by seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines against Joshua Clottey at The Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium.
Suspended for at least a year by the California State Athletic Commission after being dethroned as WBA super world welterweight (147 pounds) king following his ninth-round knockout loss to 38-year-old Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) on Jan. 24 of 2009, Margarito (pictured above, to the left, against Mosley) attempted, unsuccessfully, last week to re-apply for a license with the CSAC.
Arum said that while Magarito’s application still is under review by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, “It was just taking too long in Texas,” adding, “and we couldn’t wait any longer.”
In the meantime, Arum said that he will “Absolutely” look to return Margarito to action on the undercard of a May 8 card in Aguascalientes, Mex., against Oklahoma City’s Carson Jones, the opponent he was originally hopeful of facing in a 155-pound contest on March 13.
“We decided that rather than go to a hearing, which [Texas' Athletic Commission] looked like they were going to require, that we would, when we had more time, go back another day,” said Arum. “We want to put Carson Jones back in. We want to propose that he fight in Aguascalientes against Margarito.”
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