Thanks to a reprieve in April by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), boxer Francisco Vargas will get his first opportunity to defend his super-featherweight title June 4 at the StubHub Center in Carson.
After earning his World Boxing Council title and training in his native Mexico, Vargas tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, which is often associated with weight cutting by boxers and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters.
But after Vargas explained to the Commission that clenbuterol is often used in cattle feed in Mexico—and that a large amount of beef served to him by his mother was likely the reason for the positive test—CSAC accepted Vargas’ explanation and allowed his June 4 fight against Orlando Salido to continue. The use of clenbuterol in cattle in Mexico is well documented.
The Commission stipulated that Vargas would be tested multiple times leading up to his title defense. As of May 26, he had passed five drug tests, according to the Los Angeles Times. The fight between Vargas (23-0-1, 17 knockouts) and countryman Salido (43-13-4) will be televised on HBO.
The Commission regulates boxing and MMA in California.
