By Dave Sholler

As I scan stories from the week in boxing, I can’t help but to feel a sense of rage. Having read a dozen pieces on the one-year ban that Antonio Margarito received for using illegal wraps in his Jan. 24 fight against Shane Mosley, I struggle to hide my pure anger at the ineptitude of Team Tijuana Tornado. Moreover, I cannot, in any way, shape, or form, conceal the sense of disgust I currently feel burning deep in my boxing soul.

From serious stories like the Margarito scandal to the real reason why Ricardo Mayorga pulled out of this weekend’s clash with Alfredo Angulo, let’s take a look at the past week in boxing.

MARGARITO GUILTY; BAN HIM FOR LIFE

Let me be very, very clear on this point. While I think the one-year ban imposed on Antonio Margarito and trainer Javier Capetillo by the California State Athletic Commission is fair, it certainly lets the duo off easy. In my modest opinion, actions such as illegal wrapping should automatically signal a lifetime ban from the sport.

Go ahead; call me “harsh” or “ridiculous.” After you blast me for suggesting such an extreme sentence, think of the lifetime of pain a Margarito opponent could suffer if the former WBA champion continually used loaded wraps. Think of the head and body trauma, not to mention the mangled skin and permanent scars. This is no joke, folks. Antonio Margarito is a cheater, plain and simple.

I’ve already read plenty of forums comparing Margarito’s wraps to Shane Mosley’s steroid use. Even though I understand the parallels made, I find the tainting of wraps to be far more destructive. I’m not defending Mosley, rather, I’m pointing out that Team Margarito made it blatantly obvious that they had no regard for their opponent. Likewise, they showed such defiance to the sport that it is vomit-inducing. Boxing has enough ethical issues to deal with. We didn’t need another moron fouling up our ring.

In the end, my opinion comes based solely off the fact of what COULD have happened. Sure, a lifetime ban sounds excessive. However, what if Mosley or another Margarito foe was killed inside the ring? What if a life was ended at the illegally padded hands of Antonio Margarito? 

Margarito was once a favorite of mine. But I won’t be watching his return to the ring when the suspension ends 365 days from now. Yes, people make mistakes. Please remember though that being a professional boxer is a luxury. A luxury that demands that the playing field remains level…

As a very important side note, I believe that the inspector assigned to Margarito’s locker room should suffer a similar sentence. This person was employed to protect the safety of the fighters. He/she failed miserably.

CALZAGHE RETIRES; THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Anyone who has followed my writing career knows that I have long been anti-Calzaghe. Wins over Mikkel Kessler and Jeff Lacy aside, I just don’t think that Calzaghe fought the right opponents at the right times. Still, let me tip my hat to the Welshman’s wonderful career. As he sets sail into the next portion of his life (which undoubtedly will lead to a return to boxing – just kidding), we wish Joe well.

For a decade, Calzaghe proved to be the top dog in the super middleweight division. With a speedy southpaw approach, Joe frustrated opponents with a barrage of punches. He may not have been high on our list, but Calzaghe was always fun to watch.

Good luck Joe.

FUNEKA WILL BEAT CAMPBELL

Nate Campbell is most entertaining when he rambles. The lightweight champion, who beat Juan Diaz last year to claim three titles, will address mostly every topic in his interviews, ranging from societal issues to southpaw stances. He’s proved that point in his commentary leading up to his title defense against Ali Funeka tomorrow night. However, when the 36-year-old meets Funeka in a Valentine’s Day war, we think the rambling will stop.

Bluntly put, we think the rangy South African Funeka will overpower Campbell en route to an upset victory. Having studied tape on Funeka, we think he is a bad match-up for the champion. Not even Campbell’s poetic masterpieces can change our thoughts on this bout…

MAYORGA: BLAME MOSLEY!

Asked why he pulled out of his scheduled weekend bout with Alfredo Angulo, controversial slugger Ricardo Mayorga told reporters that it is Shane Mosley’s fault. Citing injuries suffered in his Sept. clash with the newly crowned WBA champion, Mayorga said he has trouble focusing on training and making weight.

Although the story could hold water, we still doubt it. After being lumped up by Mosley, we think Mayorga got cold feet about fighting Angulo. Call it injured ribs, failure to make weight, or whatever you want, but we think we know the true answer...

Mayorga was afraid of getting bombed by Angulo.

DARCHINYAN CONSIDERING JUMP TO BANTAMWEIGHT

Hell, let’s let the “Raging Bull” jump to heavyweight. We haven’t been this captivated by a fighter since Kelly Pavlik burst onto the scene. The Armenian triple champion talks the talk, walks the walk, and then starts talking again. Never in recent memory has a fighter been so bold, yet so successful.

ARUM: NEXT COTTO FIGHT WILL HAVE TO MAKE ‘ECONOMICAL SENSE’

Translation? If Cotto gets by Michael Jennings, a rematch with Shane Mosley is not a foregone conclusion because “Sugar” would demand a 50-50 purse split. Real translation? Arum doesn’t want to see Cotto suffer the same fate that Margarito did on Jan. 24.

Sure, Cotto slid by Mosley when the two met in 2007, but the newly crowned WBA champion seems to have rejuvenated his career. Thus, Arum is going to explore all options, including fights that give Cotto a larger purse percentage and an easier time in the ring. Andre Berto could be that opponent, as could Joshua Clottey. We don’t know if they’d offer much less of a challenge than Mosley though. No matter how the chips fall, Cotto is going to be in for a tough fight this summer.

ROY JONES JR. CARD TO FEATURE MMA BOUTS

The only thing missing from this card is an appearance by Kimbo Slice. Anyone else get the strange suspicion that Roy is considering a run in MMA? With the Floridian, never, ever, ever, say never.