As reported on Thursday by BoxingScene.com, the World Boxing Association (WBA) suspended heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz for one year for a failed drug test.
Ortiz failed a random urine test by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on September 22, the 38-year-old's second failed drug test in three years. He tested positive for two banned diuretics that are commonly used as masking agents for performance-enhancing drug use.
The Cuban-born fighter, undefeated in 27 fights with all but four wins coming via knockout, was the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua's WBA title.
His recent failed test had already led the World Boxing Council (WBC) to drop Ortiz from a scheduled November 4 heavyweight title fight against Deontay Wilder in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Bermane Stiverne will now face Wilder in that bout.
Ortiz's WBA suspension means his status as title contender is revoked, he is removed from the WBA rankings, and he may not fight in a WBA-sanctioned fight until September 22, 2018.
The 38-year-old did not deny taking the two banned diuretics, chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide, but said they are present in high blood pressure medication he is taking.
Both the WBA and WBC have anti-doping programs run by VADA.
While Ortiz got a suspension by the WBA, he may get a pass from the WBC.
Ortiz and World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman held a meeting on Friday, to discuss the circumstances surrounding his failed test. The Cuban puncher was all smiles at the conclusion of the meeting, which leads everyone to believe that the outcome of the meeting was very positive.
The WBA took a much tougher position and based their decision on the fact that Ortiz tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2014, when he was the WBA's interim heavyweight champion. He failed a post-fight drug test following a first round destruction of Lateef Kayode in Las Vegas.
A few days ago, the World Boxing Council came under fire after giving a pass to WBC bantamweight champion Luis Nery of Mexico, who tested positive for zilpaterol, a banned substance, in connection with his August world title win over Shinsuke Yamanaka. Nery claimed he had failed the drug test due to food contamination. The WBC sided with Nery, stating the positive test was due to contaminated food, and ordered him to face Yamanaka again.
The WBC's position on Nery would make it very difficult for them to suspend Ortiz, who unlike Nery was taking a prescribed medication.
