racingmeridian.com

The California State Department of Justice has reported finding elements of plaster of paris on the wrappings seized from Antonio Margarito as he prepared to fight Shane Mosley. It is a devastating revelation and one which calls into question the accomplishments of the Mexican brawler. Miguel Cotto has called for a lifetime ban, and others are asking for criminal prosecution. Among the most severe condemnations are those coming from Margarito’s fistic brethren. They know, absolutely, that a fighter is completely aware of the materials placed on the hands before a fight…there was clearly something just “off” about Margarito during his fight with Mosley. I jumped to the conclusion that Sugar had detoured back to a regimen of illegal stimulants. It appears I was wrong. I think we can conclude the temerity of the Mexican was a result of his realization he would be fighting without his favoured “loaded” gloves. It is just unspeakably sad that this man sought advantage over his fellow combatants by using barbaric tactics. The reputation of Cotto and also Kermit Cintron deserve reevaluation…yes, I favour a criminal investigation. I am influenced, as many my age will be, by the brutal beating we watched Billy Collins take at the hand of Luis Resto. Collins could never fight again and committed suicide a few months after the assault. Resto, and trainer Panama Lewis, were revealed to have removed the padding from their assigned gloves…profootballtalk is reporting two potential NFL first rounders failed drug tests administered at the Scouting Combine…new Tampa Bay Buccaneer coach Raheem Morris sure has my attention. His first move was to dump Derrick Brooks, the heart and soul of the Bucs defense. Now he has announced he will replace Brooks with safety Jermaine Phillps. I cannot recall a single instance where an NFL safety has succesfully transitioned to the linebacker role. Starting in September, Bucs fan will understand why. Shorten the odds on Morris in the “first coach fired” pools…ex Jacksonville Jaguar running back Fred Taylor has signed on with the New England Patriots. Taylor was a vocal critic of his teammates last year and could relish the move to a disciplined organization…on the outside looking in; wide receiver Marvin Harrison has received no interest since jettisoning his career with the Indianapolis Colts…the Florida Derby takes centre stage this afternoon and I’m opting for an outsider. While the fast Quality Road and the much hyped Dunkirk figure to dominate at the windows, I am not entirely sold on either. Quality Road is a regression candidate as he stretches out off a career top, and the inexperienced Dunkirk must at least be approached with a touch of caution before he conclusively demonstrates a capacity to win a Grade 1 going two turns. TheregoesJoJo is beneath the radar and, after displaying good energy in his last (I define good energy as passing an animal at every call) he could peak this afternoon. I’ll take him with Dunkirk underneath…the Formula 1 season gets underway 2am Sunday morning from Australia. Brawn, racing with a potentially illegal rear diffuser (it’s design is currently under appeal), will control the pole with  Jensen Button…Manchester United has already accounted for the Carling Cup and World Club Championship this year. They lead the Premiership and are still going concerns in the FA Cup and the Champions League. Manchester is on the verge of achieving the greatest year in club history, this despite shockingly poor efforts against Liverpool and Fulham last week…good news for fight fans has Vladimir Klitschko agreeing to face the charismatic David Haye on June 20^th in Germany. Haye is free punching and determined, a combo which should at least make for an interesting night against the glass jawed younger Klitschko. Vitali’s older brother, Vladimir, is currently attempting to avoid a mandatory against Oleg Maskaev and instead deliver a much more meaningful fight against the hulking Nikolai Valuev…Samuel Peters, once viewed as the future of heavyweight boxing, was disgraceful while losing a ten round decision to the marginal Eddie Chambers last night. Peters weighed a morbid 265 lbs and clearly does not have the fortitude to go through even a cursory training regimen. This was his second consecutive loss after quitting on his stool during a pummeling by Vitali Klitschko…