By James Blears BBC Sport Online

World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman believes that Fernando Vargas should provide a second urine sample after the first showed the presence of a banned steroid.

The urine test was carried out, following the light middleweight title bout in Las Vegas, between Oscar de la Hoya and Vargas, a fight sanctioned by the WBC.

Vargas lost via an eleventh round stoppage, after a thrilling and gruelling bout.

"The WBC's rules clearly state two samples should be examined," Sulaiman told BBC Sport Online.

"If the first is positive, then you have to call the athlete who produced it back, and give him the opportunity to appoint a representative to do another labatory test.

"I'm not talking about the first test being illegal in any way, but so many procedures are necessary, and you have to prove this test is authentic and positive. We instituted this anti doping rule in 1976."

Sulaiman confirmed that if it is proved that a fighter is guilty of doping the WBC would not rank him for two years.

Vargas has written a letter to the Commission saying he had not knowingly taken any banned substance, least of all a steroid.

But he explained he had taken nutritional supplements prior to the bout.

He has requested a second sample to be taken to rule out any possibility of any error.

The WBC has also confirmed it will appeal a $30m ruling against it by a jury in the US District Court in New York.

The case was brought by boxer Graciano Rocchigiani. The dispute focused on who was recognized as light heavyweight world champion.

Typographical error

Rocchigiani claimed that he fought and won an eliminator against Michael Nunn in 1998 to become champion after the WBC declared the title vacant, because Roy Jones Jr was considering moving up to take on heavyweights.

But when Jones decided to stay as a light heavyweight he was re-installed.

The WBC claims that there had been a typographical error concerning Rocchigiani's status

But the jury awarded in favour of him, adding on punitive damages.