Antonio Tarver Reportedly Suspended 6 Months, Fined for Positive Drug Test

The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has suspended Antonio Tarver for six months and fined him $50,000, per The Vertical's Chris Mannix.

Mannix added that the commission will count time served toward the suspension, but that will only go into effect upon Tarver paying the fine.

Tarver took umbrage with the commission's decision (warning: NSFW language):

ESPN.com's Dan Rafael noted the evidence wasn't offering a strong defense of Tarver's argument:

The 47-year-old tested positive for synthetic testosterone ahead of his eventual draw against Steve Cunningham back in August. It was the second time Tarver failed a drug test, with the first coming prior to his fight with Lateef Kayode in June 2012. Drostanolone, an anabolic steroid, was the substance that raised a red flag.

The fact the the NJSACB was willing count time served for Tarver's suspension opens the door for him to fight in the state at some point in the near future. NJSACB head Larry Hazzard confirmed he is welcome back once he takes care of the fine, per Mitchell Abramson of RingTV.com.

Tarver could potentially continue to proclaim his innocence and fight the suspension and fine. However, the simpler route might merely paying the fine and moving on from the situation.