Arum Says Chavez Jr. Fine Violates The U.S. Constitution
by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum claims the fine imposed on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by the Nevada State Athletic Commission - after the fighter tested positive for marijuana following his loss to Sergio “Maravilla” Marinez in a world title fight in Las Vegas last September - was “excessive.”
Arum told the BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that the fine violated the U.S Constitution which prohibits excessive fines.
He indicated that Chavez Jr’s lawyers will file a case against the Nevada State Athletic Commission for what the Chavez camp considers an excessive fine.
Arum pointed out that the NSAC fined Fernando Vargas $100,000 when he was found to have used steroids when he lost to Oscar De La Hoya in 2002, but fined Chavez Jr $900,000 for smoking pot.
The Top Rank promoter took a swipe at the NSAC when he told Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal that he was not going to convince them to change because - “I have no chance. The people on the commission are not people who live in the real world. There’s no reasoning with these people. It’s a lost cause.”
In addition to the fine, the NSAC also suspended the son of the legendary Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Sr for nine months which is counted from the date of the fight.
Chavez said he was sorry for his actions adding "I know I committed a big error. It was a mistake.” He said "I'd like to fight as soon as I can."
Chavez tested positive for another banned substance [which he used to cut weight] after his fight with Troy Rowland in Las Vegas in 2009 when he was suspended for seven months.
