Banned baseball star Alex Rodriguez: "I'm fighting for my life"

New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has insisted that he will fight for his life following the 211-game ban issued upon him.

The 38-year-old was suspended by Major League Baseball until the end of the 2014 season for his alleged involvement in a doping scandal.

"I'm a human being," Rodriguez said in a press conference. "I've had two hip surgeries. I've had two knee surgeries. I'm fighting for my life. I have to defend myself. If I don't defend myself, no-one else will."

Rodriguez, who is expected to appeal the ban, can continue playing until a decision has been made.