By Jim Dower: Former IBF/WBA welterweight champion Antonio Margarito was denied licensing by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Friday, turning away Margarito’s efforts and renewing his boxing license by a 4-1 vote. Keith Kizer, and executive for the Nevada Athletic Commission, said “He [Margarito] has to go to California to apply.”

It was the California Athletic Commission that took away Margarito’s boxing license a year ago shortly after a plaster-like substance was found on Margarito’s hand wraps before his fight against Shane Mosley in January. Margarito said he didn’t know how the substance got on his hand wraps.

Margarito has since been out of the ring in the United States since his loss to Mosley. However, after sitting out of action for a year, Margarito fought and defeated Roberto Garcia by a 10 round unanimous decision on May 8th in Mexico. Margarito is allowed to fight in Mexico, as the Athletic Commissions of the United States has no sway over what happens there.

There’s talk that Bob Arum, the promoter for Margarito, wll attempt to match him up against his biggest star Manny Pacquiao in a fight that would take place outside of the United States. It’ll be interesting to see if Arum does this. However, it’s doubtful this will endear Margarito to the California Athletic Commission.

Margarito might be better off if he at least applies to them first, since they’re the ones that took away his license in the first place. By applying to the Nevada Athletic Commission, it might make some people think that Margarito is trying to circumvent the ruling from the California Commission.

But Margarito still should at least try to apply to he California Commission, because even if it’s a no answer, he’ll at least know for sure and then can focus on fighting outside of the U.S. Chances of Margarito getting his boxing license back in California might not be good. It might have been better had Margarito not fought in Mexico before reapplying to the California Commission.