If the AG is going to file charges, what’s the relevant law in Cali? Attempted aggravated battery? Attempted murder? There would have to be specific intent shown on Margo’s part, that he specifically intended to use these loaded hand-wraps, which requires that he had knowledge of their existence, correct? Without a relevant witness, someone from Margo’s corner besides Capetillo, testifying to Margo’s knowledge, I think the AG’s got a tough row to hoe here.

I think there should be a statute purely for combat sports, holding fighters strictly liable for criminal defects in their equipment. Ignorance should not be a defense in this situation, mostly for the public policy of protecting fighters, and less so for the public policy of protecting the game from the appearance and reality of corruption.

Imagine this type of situation in the NFL. Not steroids, but someone messing with their equipment. What if a linebacker or strong safety made hardened edges on their shoulder pads, covered by some sham pad? If a caught player said ’we’ll I got the pads from the equipment manager, I didn’t know they were dirty’, the public backlash towards the player, the management and the equipment personnel would be of epic proportions.

What if an NHL goon, who occaisonally have knuckles taped, was found to have a metal bracket sandwhiched in? His defense: “I didn’t know, the trainer taped my hand”. Would ignorance be a defense? Not in my mind, not in the mind of the public. The outcry would be immense. This should be too.

Overall, my point is this: boxing participants are largely part of a class that is not white collar, not blue collar, they’re no collar, and/or no shirt. While we have a massive public outcry, including Congressional hearings over steroids in baseball, where the consequence is merely a principal or maybe a couple of principals, here we have life-threatening consequences. Why the difference in focus?

How many times has Margo had his hands wrapped? I mean wrapped for a fight, not for training or sparring. I don’t know what his amateur experience was, but probably like 100 total times. He knows damn well if there’s a piece of hardened ‘something’ in his wraps or not that doesn’t belong there. Anyone whose ever had hands wrapped for a fight knows exactly what it feels like, it’s a unique sensation. I’d imagine having a hand tape with a ‘firm insert’ is also pretty unique, especially when it’s all ‘wet’. I think anyone whose been there could easily and instantly determine the difference. I don’t think I can pay for anything Margo’s ever involved in again…