By Mark Vester
Undefeated junior middleweight/middleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for using furosemide prior to his decision win over Troy Rowland on the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto undercard on November 14. Furosemide is a diuretic that causes the rate of urination to increase. After coming up positive in the post-tests, he is facing a suspension and fine from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Chavez has claimed that he used the drug because a few days before the fight he was ill from stuggling to make weight and was actually hospitalized. Chavez received the drug from his doctor to safely drop the weight. Neither Chavez of his doctor were aware that Nevada has a ban on the drug.
He won't blame his doctor or any other person on the team. He is taking the full blame for what happened.
"As the team leader, I take responsibility for what has happened. My doctor (Jose Salazar) knew what I took, but he did not know it was forbidden and I am solely responsible," Chavez Jr. told The Record. "I've been a clean fighter. This is a sport that I like, I adore, and I would never do anything against it. I'm more interested in clearing things up. This will make me grow up a lot."
"Being the son of Julio César Chávez has made this situation a lot bigger but I know it's something the comes with my name. I just want to state my case in Las Vegas and hope they make the most correct decision. I have fought 22 times in the U.S., over half of my fights, and I have never gone through this kind of situation and I was very surprised. But I have to deal with my integrity and for that we are assembling the necessary documents that we have to send to the commission."
Chavez said his plan is still the same. He is testing the waters at middleweight but still plans to target the WBC 154-pounds title, owned by Sergio Martinez. There is doubt that Chavez is able to get back down to 154.
"This is a turning point in my career but my goals are still the same. I hope to fight for a world championship in 2010 as I have been saying. I know I have the tools to give good fights, face good opponents," Chavez said.
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