Julio Cesar Martinez (proper) blasts Angelino Cordova en path to retaining his WBC flyweight title by majority determination. (Photograph by Steve Marcus/Getty Photos)
The troubled profession of Julio Cesar Martinez has hit a brand new low.
The Ring has confirmed that the previous WBC flyweight titlist was issued a nine-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Fee. Martinez examined optimistic for S5 Diuretics and Different Masking Brokers from a post-fight urinalysis surrounding his March 30 title protection Angelino Cordova at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
The suspension is backdated to the March 30 drug check and can run by way of no less than December 29. Martinez (20-3, 15 knockouts; 3 No-Contests), The Ring’s No. 3-rated flyweight, should enroll in a random drug testing program. He’s required to offer clear samples all through the method for the suspension to be lifted.
Tuesday’s ruling additionally modified Martinez’s majority determination win to a No-Contest. Moreover, he was fined $11,250 and required to cowl prosecution charges totaling $157.04.
The entertaining bout occurred as a part of the inaugural Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Prime Video pay-per-view occasion. It turned out to be the ultimate WBC flyweight title protection for the Mexico Metropolis native, who vacated the belt in Might.
His determination to marketing campaign at junior bantamweight was comprehensible given the historical past of his struggling on the scales. That marketing campaign, nonetheless, is on maintain by way of no less than the top of the yr.
Martinez beforehand held the belt since Dec. 2019. Accidents, sicknesses and different points slowed his reign to a crawl. He managed simply seven defenses in additional than 4 years.
Amongst his points was the flexibility to make weight.
Martinez finally hit the mark in every of his title defenses, although he wanted two tries on a number of events. He additionally confirmed up effectively over the 115-limit in a March 2022 defeat to legendary former four-division titlist Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KOs).
Three victories have adopted for Martinez, together with a majority determination over Cordova of their fiercely contested battle.
Ought to the present check outcomes maintain up, he should give again that win. First-time offenders with NSAC have acquired suspensions starting from six to 9 months. A percentage-based nice can also be issued, and the decision modified to a No-Contest when the responsible get together was the profitable fighter.
Such a ruling will delay Martinez’s hopes to beat the enticing 115-pound division.
Medical research notice utilization of S5 Diuretics and Different Masking Brokers to “falsify the outcomes of doping contests.” Such substances are prohibited by WADA, each in- and out-of-competition. It alters the physique’s fluid and, in impact, aids in diminished physique weight.
Martinez beforehand examined optimistic for Clenbuterol throughout random drug testing carried out by the WBC’s Clear Boxing Program. Countryman and then-WBC 122 pound titleholder Rey Vargas (36-1-1, 22 KOs) produced an analogous end result.
Each have been cleared by the WBC, whose findings advised it was a part of the continuing contaminated meat situation in Mexico.
There was no loophole supplied this time round.
Jake Donovan is a senior author for The Ring and vice chairman of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.
Observe @JakeNDaBox
