LAS VEGAS, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Super welterweight Fernando Vargas was suspended for nine months and fined $100,000 Wednesday for testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid after his loss Sept. 14 to Oscar de la Hoya.
The Nevada Athletic Commission ruled that the suspension was retroactive to the fight, which allows Vargas to fight again on June 15.
Vargas had boasted about his physical condition before suffering an 11th-round technical knockout against de la Hoya. A post-fight urinalysis showed the steroid stanozolol.
The 24-year-old Vargas (22-2, 20 KOs) appeared bigger and stronger than de la Hoya in the September bout, but absorbed several punches without retaliation and was knocked down in the 11th round. Vargas stormed out of the ring without talking to reporters and was treated at a local hospital.
Vargas' other loss came against former champion Felix Trinidad in December 2000.
