By Miguel Rivera
World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman is backing former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the event of a long suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Following September's decision loss to Sergio Martinez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, it was disclosed that Chavez tested positive for marijuana.
He is going to appear before Nevada's commission in the coming weeks and faces a likely suspension of six to eight months, plus a hefty fine. The suspension would begin from the date of the Martinez fight, September 15th.
Sulaiman will support Nevada's ruling - if the suspension allows Chavez to return in the near future. If the suspension is lengthy, Sulaiman says the WBC will allow Chavez to fight anywhere in the world.
Chavez is potentially going to return on a date in May.
"Nevada can only prevent him from fighting in Nevada. They can not stop him from fighting somewhere else. Perhaps some of the U.S. states will respect the sanction of Nevada. We have our [own sanctions] but we also respect those of Nevada if they are fair. But if they are going to want money and hand down a long suspension - we are not going to accept that and we will allow Julio to fight. In any country in the world he can fight with the World Boxing Council's authorization," Sulaiman said.