Canelo Alvarez Suspension: Boxing Star Receives Curiously Short Ban

Did Canelo Alvarez’s punishment fit his crime?

The Nevada Athletic Commission suspended announced Wednesday it has suspended the boxing star six months for his failed drug test, according to multiple outlets. Alvarez tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Clenbuterol twice in February, and the results forced him to withdraw from his highly anticipated rematch with Gennady Golovkin.

Alvarez’s suspension is retroactive to the Feb. 17 test, meaning he will be eligible to fight as early as Aug. 18.

His ban also is lighter than the NAC’s minimum penalty for failing a performance-enhancing drugs test. Alavarez insists Clenbuterol entered his system via tainted meat he ate and was cooperative with investigators, according to MMAFighting.com’s Marc Raimondi.

“The suspension was part of an adjudication agreement set by NAC executive director Bob Bennett, Alvarez and Alvarez’s legal team,” Raimondi writes. “The Nevada commissioners agreed to it Wednesday. Alvarez visited Las Vegas recently to meet with Bennett and answer questions. Nevada deputy attorney general Caroline Bateman described Alvarez as ‘very professional.'”

Alvarez’s deference to boxing authorities might not remove the stain on his reputation among other boxers. GGG blasted Alvarez last month, calling his would-be opponent a long-term drug cheat.

GGG was scheduled to fight Alvarez on May 5 at StubHub Center but he’ll face Vanes Martirosyan on that date, instead.