By Elisinio Castillo
Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23KOs) will be in line for a world title shot in 2017.
At the start of this year, the World Boxing Association ordered a tournament to establish a single WBA world champion in the heavyweight division.
The heavyweight tournament fell apart, with numerous hits to the bracket structure. WBA 'super' champion Tyson Fury postponed several ring returns and eventually vacated his belt due to issues with his mental health. WBA 'regular' champion Lucas Browne failed a drug test and he was stripped of his title. A final eliminator between Ortiz [then the WBA interim-champ] and Alexander Ustinov never came together because the two sides were unable to agree on the drug testing terms.
Ortiz signed a contract with British promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport in the fall. He returned in November and December, with wins over David Allen and Malik Scott.
The WBA's "super" title will be at stake when Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko collide on April 29th. The winner will have to face Ortiz in a mandatory defense, according to statements by WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr. to ESPN Deportes. The IBF and IBO world titles will also be at stake in that contest.
Browne was going to face Shannon Briggs in a fight for the vacant WBA "regular" title, but that fight was scrapped when Browne once again failed a drug test for a performance enhancing substance. Mendoza indicates that Briggs will now face Fres Oquendo, who's been inactive while dealing with serious injuries. The winner of that fight will have to face Ustinov to determine the next viable mandatory challenger.
