Jun 25, 2024, 8:59 PM ET
The former flyweight champion, the Mexican Julio César Martínez, was suspended for nine months Nevada State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for three banned substances (diuretics and masking agents) before his March fight, a commission official told ESPN on Tuesday.
Martinez avoided a hearing when it reached an award agreement with the commission, which was approved Tuesday, according to commission meeting minutes.
The punishment Martínez accepted: a nine-month suspension retroactive to his March 30 victory over Angelino Córdova, which was changed to a no-contest; a fine of 15% of his $75,000 portfolio, along with $157,000 in processing fees; Enrollment in a drug testing program.
If Martínez, 29, successfully completes the program, he will be reinstated on December 29.
Martinez (20-3, 15 KOs) earned a split decision victory over Cordova in Las Vegas on the preliminary card of Tim Tszyu-Sebastian Fundorapart of the PBC preliminaries on Prime.
His pre-fight urine test that afternoon came back positive for diuretics and masking agents. Those banned substances increase urine volume and can be used to dilute doping agents in a drug test, but they are also commonly used to aid weight loss.
Martinez He won the 112-pound title in December 2019 and made seven defenses, although two have now been declared a no contest. Martínez originally won the title in August 2019, but that victory was also overturned without a contest. (Both were due to fouls).
Martinez’s only loss during that time was at 115 pounds against future S memberHall of Fame, Román González in March 2022. Martinez vacated the title last month and said he would now campaign at 115 pounds. ESPN ranks him No. 3 at flyweight, but he will be eliminated due to suspension per policy.
Martinez previously tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol in 2019. He faced no punishment after the WBC ruled that the result was due to contaminated meat consumed in Mexico.
