Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fails drug test

The Nevada State Athletic Commission fined and suspended boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Thursday over a failed drug test last year before a Mexican Independence Day fight in Las Vegas.

The popular 27-year-old fighter, who’s the son of a famous boxer by the same name, tested positive for marijuana in September after his first professional loss. Chavez (46-1-1) was suspended for nine months from the date of the fight and fined $900,000, which amounts to 30% of his $3-million purse for the bout against Sergio Martinez.

Chavez, who spoke by phone from Mexico, said through an interpreter that he was sorry for his actions and had taken the drug to curb his stress eight or nine days before the much-anticipated fight.

“I know I committed a big error. It was a mistake,” Chavez told the five commissioners. “I let a lot of people down.”

The commission could have banned him for one year and penalized him for up to 100% of his purse.

TENNIS

Djokovic, Federer advance

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic remained unbeaten this year by routing Andreas Seppi of Italy, 6-0, 6-3, as the top four seeded players powered into the semifinals of the Dubai Championships in the United Arab Emirates.

Defending champion Roger Federer defeated Nikolay Davydenko, 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic will play fourth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro, who returned to the semifinals by beating German qualifier Daniel Brands, 6-4, 6-2. Federer will face third-seeded Tomas Berdych, who defeated Russian wild card Dmitry Tursunov for the second time in five days, 6-3, 6-2.

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Third-seeded Sam Querrey of the United States double-faulted on the last two points of the third-set tiebreaker to lose to qualifier Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4), at the Delray Beach (Fla.) International Championships.

Second-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany moved into the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

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Venus Williams beat fifth-seeded Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, 6-4, 6-0, to reach the semifinals of the Brazil Tennis Cup at Florianopolis.

Williams will next face Olga Puchkova of Russia, who cruised past Jana Cepelova of Slovakia, 6-1, 6-1.

ETC.

Avalanche matches offer

The Colorado Avalanche matched Calgary’s offer sheet to restricted free agent Ryan O’Reilly.

The Flames announced earlier Thursday that they had signed O’Reilly to a multiyear offer sheet. The Avalanche had seven days to match it but took only a few hours to decide.

TSN in Canada reported the deal is worth $10 million over two years, which includes a $2-million signing bonus.

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University of Utah swim Coach Greg Winslow has been suspended because of allegations that he sexually abused a teenage girl he coached in Arizona six years ago.

Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill announced the suspension of Winslow, who is in his sixth season as the Utes’ coach. Though no charges have been filed, Hill said he believes the allegations are serious enough to warrant the suspension pending further investigation.

Nobody answered at Winslow’s home when the Associated Press called Thursday seeking comment.