Featherweight champ Salido suspended after steroids test

November 9, 2006

LAS VEGAS: New IBF featherweight champion Orlando Salido of Mexico could be stripped of his title after testing positive for the banned steroid Nandrolone, a Nevada boxing official said on Thursday.

"If he had steroids in his system, no matter how they got there, he shouldn't have been in the ring," said Keith Kizer, Nevada Athletic Commission executive director, on Thursday.

Kizer said urine samples collected from both fighters before last Saturday's fight in Las Vegas were tested for steroids. Post-fight urine samples for banned stimulants came back negative, Kizer said.

Salido, 25, who trains in Los Angeles, earned a unanimous decision over IBF 57-kilogram (126-pound) titleholder Robert Guerrero, 23, of the United States.

Salido has been temporarily suspended for two months pending a hearing, Kizer said. No date was immediately set.

The fighter faces a one-year suspension and up to a $250,000 (€195,000) fine, although Kizer said the commission might only fine Salido the $17,500 (€14,000) he was paid for the fight.

The outcome of the bout could be changed to a no decision, which would let the IBF declare the title vacant.