American heavyweight contender Cris Arreola has been banned from the sport for six months by the World Boxing Council.

The punishment comes after the 28-year-old was found guilty of swearing in the aftermath of his stoppage defeat to Vitali Klitschko on September 26.

Arreola, who harbours hopes of becoming the first heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage, was in an emotional state after his corner had stopped the fight after the 10th round.

After being reduced to tears by the outcome, the Californian fighter was later heard using 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, and on Tuesday proposed he 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 and the ban will be backdated to the fight night.