Should Antonio Margarito be allowed to fight again?
By Jordan Levine
The night of January 24, 2009 will forever be a black eye in the boxing business. Antonio Margarito lost the WBA Welterweight Championship to “Sugar” Shane Mosley in a 9th round TKO. However, what caused the embarrassment to the boxing community was Margarito’s blatantly feeble attempt at cheating. Mosley’s trainer, Naazim Richardson, found a pasty white substance in Margarito’s wraps. It turned out that his wraps were loaded with wet pads that would turn into plaster, the same material used to make casts. Margarito was forced to rewrap legitimately and, eventually, lost all his boxing licenses in the United States.
Since that dreaded date, questions came up regarding Margarito cheating in his fights prior to the Mosely fight. We will never know, but one can only assume that Margarito is a cheat. Unfortunately, he might box again in this country. When boxing is in decline, like many say it is now, the last thing this sport needs is a man who is intending to truly hurt someone past legal limits. The Sweet Science is not meant for people who try to kill their opponents. Rather, it is similar to a chess match, trying to figure your opponent’s moves and how to counter.
Margarito has reapplied for a license in Nevada in order to fight Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto. The athletic commission has tabled their verdict and said before they consider giving him a license, Margarito must obtain one from California, where the incident took place. The boxing community should consider this an outrage! We should not allow a man who has been caught with loaded gloves (and probably had done it before he got caught) to re-enter the boxing ring. There is a huge difference between this and steroids. Steroids can heal injuries and artificially make one stronger. Loaded gloves should never be allowed in boxing and once someone does it, they must be BANNED FOR LIFE!
Margarito refuses to admit that he knew about the loaded gloves. I don’t believe him for a second. My advice to any athletic commission in the world: DO NOT GIVE MARGARITO A LICENSE TO BOX EVER! He is a cheat and deserves never to fight again. If he ends up fighting Miguel Cotto in a rematch (Cotto lost for the first time in his career to Margarito), I pray that Margarito gets the whooping he has coming. But, I don’t even want him getting the opportunity.
I encourage all boxing fans to stand up and say THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WE ARE TAKING A STAND! DO NOT LET ANTONIO MARGARITO BACK INTO BOXING!!!
-www.geniussports.podbean.com
NBA Free Agency Rumors 7/14/10
11:15 p.m. Eastern
-Utah snapped up Raja Bell from the Lakers with a three year deal worth $10 million. It means the Jazz won’t match the offer sheet on Wesley Matthews and he’s headed to Portland on a five year deal worth $34 million. Los Angeles is talking to Shannon Brown about a return.
-The Knicks have some interest in Shaquille O’Neal and they could talk to the Cavs about a sign and trade. Mike D’Antoni “swears to god” the Knicks aren’t going after Josh Howard.
-Chicago, Portland, Boston, Chicago and Washington are all in the running for Ronnie Brewer.
-The Clippers may pursue Tracy McGrady.
5:10 p.m. Eastern
-Kyle Lowry will stay with Houston after matching Cleveland’s four year, $24 million offer sheet.
-The Knicks are making a pitch to Josh Howard and is considering the Bulls, Wizards and other teams.
-Charlotte signed Shaun Livingston as the possible answer to their PG problem. They probably won’t pursue Ramon Sessions now.
-Due to some physical issue, New Orleans withdrew their two year contract offer to Luther Head.
-Anthony Carter officially resigned with Denver.
-Sacramento had a workout with Adam Morrison today.
11:30 a.m. Eastern
-Cleveland is trying to convince Atlanta to complete a Shaquille O’Neal-Marvin Williams sign and trade deal.
-Luke Ridnour agreed in principle on a four year deal with Minnesota worth $16 million. They could now possibly deal Ramon Sessions to Charlotte.
-Denver is set to resign Anthony Carter and ink Sheldon Williams for their bench.
-New Jersey will hire Billy King as their head of basketball ops.
9:20 a.m. Eastern
-Denver beat Dallas for Al Harrington, agreeing on a five year deal at the full $34 million midlevel exception. The Nuggets felt they needed depth with Kenyon Martin and Birdman Anderson on the mend. The Mavs were “hesitant” to use the full midlevel on Harrington and Denver jumped in. It also probably means Denver won’t match Toronto’s offer sheet for Linas Kleiza.
-Cleveland signed RFA PG Kyle Lowry to a four year offer sheet worth $24 million. Houston has seven days to match and plan to.
-Shaq and Brad Miller are still in play for Atlanta and O’Neal may not have any more options besides the Hawks. Kwame Brown could also be on the team’s radar.
-San Antonio resigned Matt Bonner to a four year deal worth $16 million.
-The Nets and two European clubs have interest in RFA Luis Scola. Panathinaikos could be one of the teams since they also have interest in Rudy Fernandez and Andres Nocioni.
-Utah has interest in Shannon Brown, Roger Mason, Matt Barnes, Eddie House, Rasaul Butler and Ime Udoka.
-Despite Minnesota getting close to signing PG Luke Ridnour, they refuse to deal Ricky Rubio to a team like the Knicks. With Ridnour likely in the fold for four years and $16 million, Ramon Sessions will likely be the next player dealt, and Charlotte may have interest. Could Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince been offered in a Tyson Chandler deal?
-The Lakers continue to talk to old Kobe Bryant nemesis Raja Bell.
-Teams have interest in Orlando’s Marcin Gortat.
-New Jersey is close to agreeing with Billy King to be their next GM.
-After acquiring Kosta Koufos from Utah, Minnesota will try to trade him.
-Cleveland is among the teams interested in Adam Morrison. Boston and Washington may also have interest.
MLB Trade Rumors 7/14/10
-George Sherrill was put on outright waivers by the Dodgers, according to Ed Price, but should clear and then be sent to the minors because of his $4.5 million salary.
-FanHouse has a great list of buyers and sellers.
-Milwaukee wants Madison Bumgarner or Jonathan Sanchez in a deal for Corey Hart and the Giants want no part of a trade like that.
-Florida would be open to trading Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross and Nate Robertson but not Dan Uggla or Ricky Nolasco.
-A couple of teams have called about Dodgers IF Jamey Carroll, but it may be tough to move him.
Braves Acquire SS Gonzalez From Toronto
Atlanta wanted more power and an upgrade at SS and sent starter Yunel Escobar and starter Jo-Jo Reyes to Toronto for Alex Gonzalez and two minor leaguers, according to a team press release.
Gonzalez adds a lot more power to the Braves lineup, as he had 17 homers and 50 RBIs and a .497 slugging percentage despite his .259 average and pathetic .297 OBP. Escobar is a younger player that the Blue Jays can control for longer but was hitting just .238 with no power for the Braves. Reyes has pitched just three innings in the majors this year and is a 5th starter type waiting in AAA.
Toronto gets to unload some salary and with that send minor leaguers Tim Collins and Tyler Pastronicky to Atlanta. Collins is a small 21-year-old lefty reliever who has a 2.51 ERA in 35 appearances over 43 innings at AA and Pastronicky isn’t even listed on the minor league baseball website. Collins was the 19th best Jays prospect according to Baseball America.
Atlanta showed that they’re in this to win the division and it could force New York’s and Philadelphia’s hand in a competitive NL East.
2010 MLB Second Half Predictions
NEW YORK– By Keldy Ortiz
As we have gone a little over the halfway mark in the season, two teams from each division are involved in a pretty tight race and each of the leaders lead by four games or less. In both the AL and NL Wild Card races, each division has at least three teams trailing in the loss column by five games or less. With that said, after the season there will be winners and losers and I’ll tell you right now what they’ll be.
AL East Winner: New York Yankees
The Yankees are in a rather unfamiliar position at the break, first place. I call it unfamiliar because the last time they were in first place at the Break was in 2004, when they went on to lose in the American League Championship Series to Boston. Pitching has been a key component of their success through much of their season as they have three pitchers with at least 11 wins. Hitting has been consistent as they ranked first in the AL in OBP. They even the unlikely heros, Marcus Thames and Francisco Cervelli. Their key to winning the division is their relief pitchers for the 7th and 8th inning. If their starters cannot make it through the later innings, someone has to play the role and get the ball to Mariano Rivera. Look for this team to look for some relief help towards the trading deadline.
AL Central Winner: Chicago White Sox
The Sox are the hottest team in baseball right now coming in with an eight game winning streak,despite missing a key component in starting pitcher Jake Peavy, who is out for the season with an elbow injury. Also, with a starting staff that has a combined win-loss total of 30-24, would you trust them? Does that make Detroit the favorites? The Tigers, will start the second half without reliever Joel Zumaya who is also out for the remainder of this season. But while Zumaya is out this season, they still do have Justin Verlander and company. With a dicey Tigers bullpen and not the most reliable starting pitching, look for them to stay strong in the second half but fade off come September.
AL West Winner: Texas Rangers
The Rangers are for real and look to make a lot of noise in the West. They’re the surprising team and the rental of pitcher Cliff Lee can be just what the Rangers need to get over the hump and into the playoffs. A lot of credit has to be given to DH Vladimir Guerrero, who leads the league in RBIs with 75 andis hitting .319. This has definitely been a revitalizing year for Guerrero. The lineup has also done well with the 3-4-5 combo of Ian Kinsler, Guerrero, and Josh Hamilton, who have combined .581 slugging percentage. The key for the Rangers to succeed and be crowned division champs is their non-Lee starting pitchers (Colby Lewis, C.J. Wilson, and Scott Feldman). If they can remain just as good in the second half, they can be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
NL East Winner: Philadelphia Phillies
Yes, they are in third place in the division and trail Atlanta by four and half games, but they are the defending National League East champions, not to mention two-time National League champs. The Phillies have a four game winning streak and will start the second half playing the falling Chicago Cubs. Their lineup has arguably one of the best 4-5 combinations in the National League with first baseman Ryan Howard batting cleanup and outfielder Jayson Werth batting fifth. We can not shy away about their pitching staff as they have Roy Halladay and anyone who has Halladay can be considered a contender. The problem with the other teams, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, is because the Braves have relatively been out of the playoffs for a while and their inexperience in meaningful September games will be a factor. The Mets have way too many holes in their rotation to make a push as starters 2-5 have not had recent success. Johan Santana looks to be getting back to his old form but he cannot lead this team to the promised land on his heels.
NL Central Winner: St Louis Cardinals
While possible NL MVP candidate Joey Votto, the surprising Cincinnati Reds currently are in first place with a relatively new team to this type of success. We cannot forget that this time last year, the St Louis Cardinals were in first place. Yes, this is a new season but the Cardinals are the Cardinals and with first baseman Albert Pujols on the team, the Cardinals will have a chance to be there come September. Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is currently second in the NL in wins and with the ability of Chris Carpenter, this team will come back on top. We forget to mention Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who is struggling this season but will turn it around in a big way in the second half.
NL West Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger fans going into this season expected a lot, especially since Joe Torre may not manage next season. With that in mind, the Dodgers seem to have to the best opportunity from teams in the other divisions to distance themselves from the pack if they just play small ball. Manny Ramirez is coming off the disabled list will be good news for the other players, especially outfielder Matt Kemp, who has been carrying the weight of Ramirez. Their pitching has been not the greatest, but if the Dodgers still have the lead going into the 9th, closer Jonathan Broxton, one of the more reliable closers will seal the door. The San Diego Padres started the season with the second best record in the National league at 15-9 and have since won 42 more games while losing 28. Can the Padres make the push and become the NL West champs? With an important series against the Dodgers at the end of July, Adrian Gonzalez and company will have to prove they can hang with LA down the stretch.
