Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is just not having a good time of it. Fresh from losing his middle-weight belt to Sergio Martinez on Saturday night, the Mexican has now submitted a positive post-fight urine test for marijuana.
By Declan Whooley
The Nevada State Athletic Commission informed the boxer’s promoter yesterday and it will not be his first brush with the authorities. In November 2009 he defeated Troy Rowland but tested positive afterwards for diuretic in an effort to lose weight. In January this year he was given a three year probation charge after a drink-driving offence in LA.
This positive ban could have serious repercussions for Chavez, who made a dramatic last round rally in his defeat on Saturday night. It is thought Chavez will be stripped of his $3 million purse, while the commission can also ban a fighter for one year on the back of a failed test.
Though we cannot figure out how marijuana could increase his performance, maybe it eased the pain of defeat afterwards. And he did look to be in a slight degree of dicomfort.
Speaking in the Los Angeles Times, Top Rank official Bob Arum insisted that marijuana is not a performance enhancer and Chavez Jr. was using it for sleep purposes.
“As far as I’m concerned, marijuana should be legal and you can quote me on that,” he said. And we are Bob, thank you very much.
Chavez Jr. will still be raw after his first professional defeat, and had hoped for a rematch with Martinez. At the age of 37, Martinez himself was reportedly keen for the fight to guarantee another big pay day. However the Mexican’s dabble in narcotics could scupper any chances of the two fighters squaring off in the ring again.
Don’t worry Julio, be happy.
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