WBC fines Julio Cesar Chavez Jr $10K over failed drug test, rehab ordered

The WBC has issued a press statement on their "punishment" for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's recent failed drug test in Nevada, fining the fighter all of $10,000 and ordering him to do a sting in drug rehabilitation.

The organization has decided to take Chavez Jr's press release apology as "a declaration of guilt and repentance." Here's the official word from Don Jose himself, or the writer of this press release anyway:

As president of the WBC, I have got in touch with the Board of Governors, and we have decided to fine him $10,000 USD. That money will be donated to an institution for children who suffer from cancer.

We also are asking Julio to attend a rehabilitation center and want official confirmation that he's so doing. THE WBC will open its doors once again to him, so he can continue his successful career when he feels he can return. The WBC won’t suspend Julio Cesar for an undefined time, because that is not going to help him. The suspension will last as long as the rehab center advises.

You can take this however you like. My personal reaction is probably entirely predictable, so I guess why bother?

Well, screw it. I'll at least say this: This is not a punishment. It is, as usual, the WBC cleverly disguising a non-action as an action. It's not even that I don't buy Chavez Jr's apology. Maybe I don't, but it's not about that. The WBC is first in line to complain, whine, moan, and throw hissy fits whenever something doesn't go their way. And then something like this happens, and they lean on their "humanitarian" efforts and noble causes like a crutch.

They want to lead the world, and they also want the world to be their shoulder to cry on, while we tell them, "It's OK. It's going to be alright. You did the best you could."

"It's not your fault."

"NOT YOU, SEAN!"

"It's not your fault."

Previously, Sulaiman was more than ready to help foster some excuses for Chavez, but someone on the fighter's team rightly knew this was a time to "man up" and "take responsibility" instead of trying to squirm away from reality again.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has not yet made their ruling, but the date of the impending, almost entirely certain suspension for Chavez will be retroactive to September 15, which is fair enough, and his fine will surely be a hell of a lot more than $10,000 there. The WBC press release attempts to prematurely scold the callous Nevada officials for their coming punishment, but I'll just leave this here for now. Nevada's ruling is what will really matter.