Updated at 8:57 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Viloria opponent Nino suspended for drug use
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — WBC light flyweight champion Omar Nino was temporarily suspended Tuesday after testing positive for methamphetamine after last month's title bout, Nevada boxing regulators said.The 30-year-old Mexican fighter retained the 108-pound title Nov. 18 with a majority draw over former champion Brian Viloria of Hawai'i, even though Viloria knocked down Nino twice in the Las Vegas bout. Nino first won the title with a unanimous decision over Viloria in August in Las Vegas.
Nino is the first fighter ever to test positive for methamphetamine in Nevada.
The Nevada Athletic Commission decided to keep Nino out of the ring until it could hold a formal hearing, probably in January, commission executive director Keith Kizer said.
Two tests on a urine sample taken after the Nov. 18 title fight came back positive, enough to bring a case before the commission, Kizer said.
Nino has denied using the drug.
Under commission rules, Nino (24-2-2) could face a suspension, have his boxing license revoked, be fined and have the commission rule that his latest bout was a no-decision.
Also, the WBC is preparing to conduct its own test, which could put Nino's belt in jeopardy, Kizer said.
