Margarito wins licence to fight Pacquaio in Texas

AUSTIN // The former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito had his application for a boxing licence in Texas approved yesterday, paving the way for clash with Manny Pacquaio at Cowboys Stadium. The Texas Department of Licencing and Regulation received an application from Margarito on Monday and decided yesterday to grant his request. Margarito had been denied a licence to fight in California. The department's executive director, William Kuntz, said in a statement: "After a thorough review of his application it was determined Mr Margarito met the requirements of the Texas Combative Sports Act and Rules. Based on the review of the above information, I have authorized the issuance of a licence to Mr Margarito."

Margarito is expected to face Pacquiao for a junior middleweight title on November 13. Margarito has not fought in the United States since January 2009, when a plaster-like substance was found in his hand wrapping prior to a fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. Margarito's licence, along with that of his former trainer, Javier Capetillo, was revoked for at least one year by the California State Athletic Commission, a decision that was upheld by other states.

Margarito denied knowing anything about the illegal hand wraps, but he stayed out of the ring for more than a year. On May 8 he cruised to a junior middleweight victory over Roberto Garcia in Mexico. * AFP