by David P. Greisman
Hector Marengo — a 7-9 (4 KOs) fighter from Puerto Rico who has lost to prospects Zachary Ochoa and Jamel Herring — has been suspended and fined following a positive test for the banned steroid boldenone.
Marengo tested positive for the substance in a test performed prior to his loss to Herring, which took place this past March in Las Vegas, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission. Herring won the eight-round fight by unanimous decision.
The fighter wrote to the commission apologizing for the inconvenience but denying the use of steroids or any other banned substances during his career.
“I will do my best to resolve this situation so that my image won’t be deteriorated with my career,” he wrote, according to a translation from the commission.
But when the commission called for Marengo to appear before them, he neither showed up in person nor called into the commission hearing on June 11.
With Marengo having received notice of the complaint against him, the commission went ahead and unanimously voted to punish him. He will be suspended for one year, fined 33 percent of his $10,000 purse, and must provide a clean test before being licensed to fight in the state again.
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