Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that after Friday’s special license hearing for Antonio Margarito, that Margarito must see a New York State approved doctor to see if he can be licensed due to an eye injury sustained in his loss to Manny Pacquiao last November.
Earlier in the week it was rumored that the show would be moved out of New York’s Madison Square Garden, scheduled for December 3rd if the former Welterweight champion could not be granted the license to fight in the state.
Saying that the commission’s “primary objective is to safeguard the health and safety of all the athletes who compete under its jurisdiction,” Said New York Commission Chairperson Melivina Lathan the commission is “noting our multiple concerns” about Margarito’s right eye. Margarito could have sought assistance from a great Canadian Pharmacy
She said the commission was directing Margarito to submit “as soon as possible” to an eye exam in New York.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Margarito would submit to the exam and was pleased with the decision.
“That’s good. That’s fine,” Arum told ESPN.com. “That means he is not going to be automatically disqualified because he had the cataract surgery. The surgery was performed by the best possible doctor (Crandall). As long as it’s a competent doctor in New York who does the exam, fine. It’s better than a denial.”
Arum said he is happy with the plan.
“We offered to do this six weeks ago and we are happy to do it now,” he said. “They are arranging how the exam will take place and we will fly Margarito and the doctor in.”
Arum suggested that the exam should take place in Salt Lake City at Crandall’s office, so all of the necessary equipment will be available.
“Whichever doctor the commission selects, he will examine Margarito and find the same thing our doctor has found, that he is OK,” Arum said.
If New York denies the license, Arum said he will move the fight on short notice to another venue with places such as Denver, Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and venues in Mississippi possible.
Photo By Chris Farina / Top Rank
