Julio Cesar Martinez has been suspended for nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission following a positive drug test after his win over Angelino Cordova at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight result has been changed to a no-contest.
Some fans are questioning the duration of the suspension, considering Martinez’s successful defense of his WBC flyweight title in the bout against Cordova. The 29-year-old tested positive for S5 diuretics and other masking agents.
Comparisons have been drawn between Martinez’s suspension and Ryan Garcia’s one-year ban in New York for testing positive for the PED Ostarine. The difference in suspension length between Martinez and Garcia may be due to varying regulations in Nevada and New York.
Martinez had been on a winning streak before the suspension, having won his last three fights following a loss to Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez in March 2022. His return to the ring post the nine-month ban in 2025 will spark curiosity among fans.
There are suggestions that Martinez’s suspension could be retroactively applied from his last fight in March, potentially shortening his time away from competition. With his popularity and exciting fighting style, Martinez is expected to remain a sought-after fighter even after his suspension concludes.
