Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. made headlines on Wednesday when it was revealed he tested positive for marijuana after losing his fight with Sergio Martinez, but it’s what his promoter said in response that stole the show.
Chavez Jr. could be facing discipline from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his second positive post-fight test in the state in the past three years. In November 2009, he tested positive for a diuretic used to lose weight before his fight against Troy Rowland. The second positive test could influence the Commission’s punishment, but it shouldn’t, according to Bob Arum.
The promoter took Chavez’s failed test as an opportunity to campaign for the legalization of marijuana. This is something straight out of “The Great White Hype,” no doubt.
“You certainly worry about the repercussions, but we have a great commission in Nevada that understands what the social issues are. As far as I’m concerned, marijuana should be legal and you can quote me on that,” Arum said, according to the LA Times’ Lance Pugmire.
“I’m making a moral judgment,” he said. “It’s legal in California … it has therapeutic effects. I’m not going to step back on this one: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with marijuana, and if I had a vote, I’d vote to legalize it. Let’s not be sanctimonious here.”
Now that sure is one way to spin your client’s misstep. Arum also tried to explain that Chavez Jr. used the weed to help him sleep because of insomnia. Yes, the man does have a legal background.
We’ve gotten on Arum’s case plenty of times in the past for stupid things he’s said and for blocking the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather dream fight, but we have to give it to him on this one. This sure is comedy. And he is right in one sense; I figure smoking weed would only hurt a boxer preparing for a fight, so Chavez Jr. already hurt himself.
