Antonio Margarito Suspended

Before getting his butt whipped by Shane Mosley at the Staples Center on Saturday January 24th, news was revealed that the hand wrap for Antonio Margarito was found to have a plaster type substance on it.

Plaster.

You know...like concrete.

Margarito was, of course, forced to rewrap his hands before his fight against Mosley.

As a result of the discovery Antonio Margarito and his trainer have been temporarily suspended from boxing until further investigation.




I can honestly think of nothing more despicable than using a foreign substance on a hand wrap during a bout.

In boxing, an unspoken and obvious understanding exists that if a fighter is going to punch their opponent in the face and the body using all their force and might, a price will have to be paid to their own body as well.

After his bout with Oscar De La Hoya for example, Manny Pacquiao's hands were so sore and swollen that he was unable to sign autographs for fans. Instead, he took pictures with all of them. To demonstrate that he wasn't just lazy or ungrateful for the support of his fans after his fight.

The fact that Margarito possibly cheated before his bout with Mosley, draws into suspicion all the victories he's had in his past, notably his vicious knockouts of Kermit Cintron and Miguel Cotto.

In his fight against Cotto, a plaster doctored hand wrap would explain much.

Cotto was criticized for running from Margarito throughout that entire 11 round bout. Cotto a brawler by nature was in the unusual position of leaning on the ropes and running from Margarito who stalked him relentlessly.

After getting hit repeatedly, Cotto's only recourse was to look for sanctuary from Margarito's vicious heavy punches against the ropes.

Could it be that Cotto was running from a guy with concrete in his gloves?

When Mosley stood up to Margarito in their bout together and insisted on fighting in the center of the ring, Margarito honestly looked mediocre and outclassed.

He failed to hurt Mosley at all.

This was the same Sugar Shane Mosley who lost a brutal, close, action-filled bout to Miguel Cotto.

I'm not condemning or judging Margarito, that is, until the truth is revealed.

But given the circumstances, it would explain alot if Margarito indeed used illegal hand wraps in his fight against Cotto.

Who in their right mind would want to stand in the middle of the ring with a guy with concrete hands?

Goodbye Ricardo Montalban

Very sad news today.

Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban has passed away.

As I think back on his works, I can't help but feel nostalgic and grateful for his impressive career.

As a kid, I remember his elegant portrayal of Mr. Roarke on my favorite television show Fantasy Island. Back then I had no concept of good or bad acting, I just knew that the guy was great. One week he was likable, other weeks he was scary, mysterious and at times even hilarious.

Man, Mr. Roarke with his white suit...



Later when I was older, I delighted in seeing him seek revenge and become the ultimate nemesis to Captain Kirk in Star Trek: Wrath of Khan.



When I was in high school and too cool for my own good, I remember laughing my ass off watching him play it straight in the ridiculously funny Naked Gun.



In college, I set out to watch every movie starring Marlon Brando and I stumbled onto the film Sayonara, which featured Montalban as, of all people, a Japanese character named Nakamura.



Then recently, I've marveled at how Montalban has come full circle in my life, by entertaining my children in the Spy Kids films.



Thank you very much for the memories Mr. Montalban, you will not be forgotten.

Ricardo Montalban

November 25, 1920 - January 14, 2009.

Goodbye Pat Hingle

Character actor Pat Hingle passed away this weekend.

He is best remembered for his portrayal as Commissioner Gordon in the Tim Burton directed and produced "Batman" films.

Although, he wasn't the ideal Commissioner Gordon, especially in light of Gary Oldman's fantastic portrayal,he still made a memorable impression in those earlier films.

He is also remembered for such films as "The Quick and the Dead" and "Talladega Nights".

New Year's Eve Insanity

I'm not a big fan of New Year's Eve as noted in a much earlier post.

But I do recognize the importance of the night and the unique activities which takes place on the holiday. Some examples would be the insane stunts performed by freestyle motorcycle riders Robbie Maddison and Robbie Knievel in Las Vegas.

I like to think that they don't view this as a competition.

Just two seperate spectacular events that happened on the same night... in the same city.

If it were a competition, I'm sure it would've ended with somebody dead before they acknowledged a winner.

Cause these guys are freaking crazy.

Witness.