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Texas grants Antonio Margarito boxing license

Margarito to face Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation granted Antonio Margarito a boxing license Thursday, which will allow him to fight Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Margarito (38-6, 27 KO) had his license suspended for one year in February 2009 when illegal inserts were found in his hand wraps prior to a January fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. Margarito's hands were re-wrapped following the incident, and he lost by TKO in the ninth round.

Top Rank officials initially looked into holding the Nov. 13 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but turned elsewhere when the Nevada Commission tabled Margarito's request to obtain a license July 9.

"I want to thank the state of Texas for granting me a boxing license, which enables me to continue my passion for the sport of boxing in the United States," Margarito said in a statement. "I have dedicated my life to giving the fans of the sport entertainment and excitement."

Last week, Margarito's application for a license was denied by the California Commission in a 5-1 vote.

Margarito already fought a comeback fight in May, defeating Roberto Garcia by unanimous decision at the Plaza Monumental in Agascalientes, Mexico.

Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Joshua Clottey in March. That fight was the first ever held at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium.

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting

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