Heavyweight fighter banned for industrial language

By James Blears

JEJU, South Korea (Reuters) - Battered heavyweight contender Chris Arreola will have plenty of time to nurse his wounds following defeat at the powerful hands of Vitali Klitschko after boxing chiefs on Tuesday banned the fighter for swearing.

The American, who dreams of becoming the first heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage, was in an emotional state after his corner had stopped the Sept. 26 fight after the 10th round.

Tears flowed freely as he thanked the crowd and the boxer later relied on some industrial language to express his intent to hit back following the defeat.

World Boxing Council president Jose Sulaiman took a very dim view of the use of a swear word in Arreola's post-fight interview, however, and on Tuesday proposed the 28-year-old be banned from competing for six months.

The WBC's board of governors approved the sanction at the body's annual convention in Jeju, South Korea.

The ban will be backdated to the fight night.

(Editing by Ossian Shine. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)