EDDIE MUSTAFA MUHAMMAD: “I’M LOOKING FOR PACQUIAO TO PUT ON A CLINIC”

The son of a New York City police officer, world-class trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad was brought up with a strong belief in the justice system, so it should come as no surprise when he often points out the corruption and injustices that exist in boxing. The latest issue that Muhammad has taken offense with is the relicensing of Antonio Margarito, who he strongly believes was fully aware of what was going on last January when he and his trainer were caught using illegal handwraps prior to his bout with Shane Mosley. “Listen, he got caught with his underwear down and he got caught cheating. How can you not look at your trainer when he’s wrapping your hands? What were you doing, listening to rap music? That’s full of nonsense,” Muhammad would tell FightHype’s own Percy Crawford in a recent interview.

In Muhammad’s opinion, the punishment that Margarito recieved did not come close to fitting the crime. “I don’t think the punishment was severe enough and he should have never received his license. You look back at the Panama Lewis situation where he doesn’t have his license and you just can’t do that. You can’t satisfy one individual and neglect another one. You can’t do that. If one guy cannot get his license because he did wrong, then why can’t that work both ways,” Muhammad would explain, not happy with the fact that Margarito was only banned from the sport for a year, which essentially amounted to him missing one or two fights at most, before returning for a clash with Manny Pacquiao that will likely net him a career high payday. “I mean, can Panama Lewis just go to Texas and get back into boxing? They seem to be the ones giving away licenses to the bad guys. One thing about Panama Lewis is he did his time. That’s not right for Margarito to be about to cash in, but then again, like I told everybody, boxing is so corrupt with some of the commissions out there.”

Although Muhammad insists that boxing is corrupt and the only way to remedy the situation is to federalize sport, he also thinks that justice for Margarito will ultimately be served inside the ring by Manny Pacquiao, whose fists will act as judge and jury come November 13. “As far as the fight, I think Pacquiao may outbox him because Pacquiao is strong. He is very strong and he is just going to outbox him with that speed. He wouldn’t dare try to slug with him because if he tries to slug with Margarito, that would be to his detriment. I’m looking for Pacquiao to put on a clinic and try not to get in a slugfest with him,” Muhammad added as he shared his thoughts on the fight.