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Heavyweight fighter Luis Ortiz has come up positive for steroids in testing done for his Sept. 11 first-round stoppage win over Lateef Kayode, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com.
“[The] commission has suspended him pending a hearing,” Rafael tweeted.
The bout was for the World Boxing Association’s “interim” heavyweight title, though the sanctioning body also has a “regular” titleholder in Ruslan Chagaev and a “super champion” in Wladimir Klitschko.
Kayode, who also had a 2012 draw with then-cruiserweight Antonio Tarver overturned after Tarver tested positive for a banned substance, issued a statement to BoxingScene.com:
“This is God’s work that he looks after me. I have no anger towards Ortiz because this is a mistake that he has to answer to. This is between him and his maker,” Kayode said. “I worked very hard to prepare without any help from drugs and I expect my opponents to do the same. It's not good for the sport or for kids who may look up to us boxers to cheat.
“This time I hope the WBA does right,” Kayode said. “After Tarver the IBO forgot about me, but I believe my promoter and the WBA will not forget. I should be given that belt — or the chance to win it. No one else has the right to be named champion. I was honest. He was not, and I should be rewarded. I felt his power and now I know why he has this power. It did not belong to him. Thank you God.” [Click Here To Read More]
“[The] commission has suspended him pending a hearing,” Rafael tweeted.
The bout was for the World Boxing Association’s “interim” heavyweight title, though the sanctioning body also has a “regular” titleholder in Ruslan Chagaev and a “super champion” in Wladimir Klitschko.
Kayode, who also had a 2012 draw with then-cruiserweight Antonio Tarver overturned after Tarver tested positive for a banned substance, issued a statement to BoxingScene.com:
“This is God’s work that he looks after me. I have no anger towards Ortiz because this is a mistake that he has to answer to. This is between him and his maker,” Kayode said. “I worked very hard to prepare without any help from drugs and I expect my opponents to do the same. It's not good for the sport or for kids who may look up to us boxers to cheat.
“This time I hope the WBA does right,” Kayode said. “After Tarver the IBO forgot about me, but I believe my promoter and the WBA will not forget. I should be given that belt — or the chance to win it. No one else has the right to be named champion. I was honest. He was not, and I should be rewarded. I felt his power and now I know why he has this power. It did not belong to him. Thank you God.” [Click Here To Read More]
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