Chávez Jr. banned nine months, fined $900,000 for doping

Julio Cesar Chávez Jr. was banned nine months and fined $900,000 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission today for failing a drug test after his loss to Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez last September, Top Rank Boxing said.

Chávez, 27, tested positive for marijuana after losing a unanimous decision to Argentina's Martínez in their World Boxing Council middleweight title fight on Sept. 15 in Las Vegas.

The Mexican would regain his active status on June 15, but lawyers for Chávez vowed to appeal what they thought was an excessive fine for what is not considered a performance enhancing drug, said Top Rank, which represents the boxer.

The fine represents 30 percent of Chávez's $3 million purse for the Martinez fight.

The commission's decision took into account a failed doping test in 2009 by Chávez in Las Vegas for a banned diuretic.

Chávez was suspended seven months for that offense, which also resulted in a victory by Chávez over Troy Rowland being changed to a no-decision.