José Benavidez Jr. Receives Nine-Month Suspension

American middle-weight José Benavidez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KO) has been suspended for nine months after a positive drug test, BoxingScene reports.

Following his February 2025 win over Danny Rosenberger, Benavidez tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The bout has been ruled a no-contest, and the fighter was fined $3,750. He is sidelined until 31 October and must provide clean samples before returning. It had been Benavidez’s first victory since August 2023.

Benzoylecgonine is the primary metabolite of cocaine, but it is also found in Esterome, a muscle-pain medication not approved by the FDA and unavailable on the U.S. market.

Photo: PBC