Cotto vs. Margarito: Biggest Fight Since Pacquiao vs. Marquez in Jeopardy

With barely two weeks to go before the scheduled mega fight between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, fight fans remain uncertain whether the fight will still take place at New York's Madison Square Garden as originally scheduled.

The fight has been calendared for December 3, but the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), the state sports regulating agency, has not issued the license to Margarito to fight in New York on medical grounds.

NYSAC denied Margarito's’ first license application last October 31 because of the eye injury suffered by the Mexican in the hands of Manny Pacquiao in their recent fight—but Margarito’s promoter, Bob Arum made an appeal to reconsider the action by the commission.

The commission’s chairperson, Melvina Lathan, and her deputies announced after a public session and a closed-door meeting, said they want Margarito to submit to an eye examination by a doctor to be chosen by the commission.

It appears the doctor’s findings will be one of the commission’s basis for granting the license. Final decision by the commission is expected to be announced shortly.

The commission’s actions have nothing to do with Margarito’s controversial hand-wrap issues which caused his suspension from fighting in the State of California.

Arum, whose company Top Rank Promotions promotes both fighters, told ESPN the fight may be moved to another venue outside of New York if the commission finally denies Margarito’s license application to fight in New York.

Arum announced the fight will proceed as scheduled on December 3, but it will be held in another venue.

"Worst-case scenario is that they deny the license, and if they do, we have other fight venues as backups," Arum said.

Arum is looking at Texas as the alternative venue. He said the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington is available on December 3. The amiable promoter also mentioned Denver and Mississippi as possible venues.

Arum is being criticized for not attending early to the license requirements of Margarito while the NYSAC is being scrutinized for whatever motivations they have outside of medical issues with regards to Margarito’s application for license.

The upcoming Cotto vs. Margarito match is expected to attract thousands of boxing fans from Puerto Rico because of the closeness of the venue. New York and neighboring cities are home to many Puerto Ricans who are mostly avid boxing fans.