Margarito: Like an Itch that Just Won't Go Away

You can accuse Antonio Margarito of a lot of things, but lack of determination is certainly not one of them.

His fighting style inside the ring is far from being the most orthodox or refined, but his constant pressure, described by Max Kellerman as "a punching wall that keeps closing in on you," served him well enough to become a champion in what was then considered one of boxing's hottest weight classes.

And then he met Shane Mosley.

We need not go into particulars, as most details of that fateful night in the career of the Tijuana Tornado have been covered ad nauseam since. But there remains one little piece of information that seems to not have attracted as much attention as the rest, and it is this little detail that motivates Tony to keep pushing for a return to the ring.

In interviews after his last in-ring appearance, Margarito confessed to having had problems in making weight for that welterweight bout. For those who believe him, that would go some way towards explaining his appallingly poor performance against Sugar Shane.

Margarito himself seems to believe it, and that is why he is considering going up in weight for his next fight. He has recently declared that he would be willing to fight at the super welterweight limit of 154 pounds, and he would like to do so against current WBC champ, the Argentinian Sergio Martinez.

As if not enough storylines were already involved, this fight would actually be a rematch. Margarito and Martinez already fought once, back in 2000. In that fight, Margarito handed Martinez what remains the lone loss on his record, via a seventh round TKO. That fight took place at welterweight. 

Since then Sergio Martinez has gained experience, improved his skills, moved up in weight, and become one of the top names at 154 pounds. This potential fight could be very interesting to watch if it came to happen.

The Mexican fighter looking for redemption after being ostracized, the Argentinian looking to avenge his loss, and increase his name recognition.

On the other hand, the question of whether Antonio Margarito deserves such an opportunity after the scandal in which he was involved remains relevant, even beyond what athletic commissions and ruling organizations decide on the matter.

Personally, I would prefer if Margarito had to fight his way back up starting from a lower level. It certainly wouldn't be fair to so many other honest, hard-working boxers trying to make a name for themselves in the business for him to step right back into the mix where he left off, after an offense as grave as the one he committed, would it? 

In the end, it is precisely because of how tough it is to make it to the big leagues in boxing, that those at the top are so unwilling to give up their position easily. Additionally, proven names linked to controversy may be too tempting a combination for promoters to pass up on. In boxing, as in so much in life, money talks.

And so boxing, like life, is not always fair.