Mexico City – The World Boxing Council (WBC) have fined Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr $20,000 and ordered to him undergo treatment following his positive test for marijuana after losing to Argentina's Sergio Martinez in Las Vegas last month.
Chavez Jnr lost his WBC world middleweight crown by a unanimous points decision to Martinez on September 15 and officials found traces of marijuana in his urine following the bout in Nevada.
“Having accepted and expressed regret for what he did, including his hand written apology to fans, the WBC fines Chavez Jr $20,000. This sum will be donated to a medical centre that cares for children with cancer,” read a WBC statement.
“The WBC has also decided to suspend him for an undefined time, so he can enter a rehab center. The WBC will open its doors once again to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, so he can continue his successful career when he feels he can return. The suspension will last as long as the rehab centre advises”.
In 2009, Chavez tested positive for a diuretic and was hit with a seven-month ban as well as being stripped of a victory and fined $10,000 – 10 percent of that fight's paycheck.
Pre-fight test results have not yet been received by Nevada officials, who promoter Bob Arum plans to seek leniency from because marijuana is a recreational drug and not a performance-enhancing substance.
“The Nevada Boxing Commission is independent of this matter, due to the fact that it did not have the courtesy to work with the WBC in this fight,” concluded the WBC statement.
Chavez was also arrested on a drink driving charge last January just two weeks before a successful title defense. He reached a plea deal in that case that included three years of probation. – Sapa-AFP