Boxers Toney, Batchelder test positive for steroids

June 14, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three-time champion James Toney tested positive for steroids and could face a one-year suspension from boxing.

Armando Garcia, the California State Athletic Commission's executive officer, said Toney and Danny Batchelder, his opponent in a heavyweight bout May 24 in San Jose, tested positive for two types of steroids. They were suspended indefinitely.

"They have a right to appeal," Garcia said Wednesday. "My recommendation is suspension until the end of the licensing year and a $2,500 fine for both. We will give them the 30 days to appeal. If they don't, that's what the suspension will be."

Toney tested positive for boldenone and stanazolol, and Batchelder tested positive for stanazolol and oxandolone, Garcia said. If they don't appeal, the boxers would be suspended one year from the date of their fight.

Toney won a split decision over Batchelder, an outcome that won't be changed, Garcia said. Toney, a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., has a 70-6-3 record with 43 knockouts. Batchelder is 25-5-1 with 12 knockouts.

The 38-year-old Toney is a former IBF middleweight, super-middleweight and cruiserweight champion. He tested positive for nandrolone two years ago, and it cost him a victory over WBC heavyweight champion John Ruiz. That bout was ruled a no-contest.