LAS VEGAS — Suspended boxer Joey Gilbert's proposed settlement to return to the ring was rejected by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Gilbert's lawyer, Mark Schopper, proposed time already served on the suspension and an admission that a metabolite from an anabolic steroid was found in the Reno middleweight's system as a settlement.

But the commission rejected the proposal on a 3-2 vote Saturday in Las Vegas. The two members who voted in favor of the proposed settlement did so only on the condition that Gilbert also pay a fine.

"A majority of the commissioners wanted more than that," commission Chair John Bailey told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "They wanted a full hearing and wanted to be able to ask more questions on the complaint."

The 31-year-old Gilbert was temporarily suspended when he tested positive for a handful of illegal substances, including an anabolic steroid, after his Sept. 21 knockout victory over Charles Howe in Reno.

The suspension remains in effect pending a full hearing. No date has been set yet.

Schopper maintains the presence of the metabolite doesn't necessarily mean Gilbert tested positive because it's unclear how many metabolites constitute a positive test.

"Our scientist said it took two metabolites to confirm a positive test," he said.

Schopper plans to subpoena the laboratory that conducted the tests on behalf of the athletic commission for more information. He has accused the athletic commission of failing to establish formal protocols for drug testing.

Gilbert gained international attention on the NBC reality series "The Contender" in 2005. A licensed lawyer who was a three-time national collegiate champion at Nevada, he has a 16-1 record with 12 knockouts as a professional.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com