Tony Bellew has called for Luis Ortiz to be banned from boxing after the Cuban heavyweight tested positive for a banned substance.
Ortiz was scheduled to challenge Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title on November 4 but a failed drugs test has left that the bout in serious jeopardy of being cancelled.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman took to social media to confirm that Ortiz had tested positive for a prohibited substance in a test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
@WBCBoxing has received confirmation from @Vada_Testing that Luis Ortiz has tested positive for a banned substance under #CleanBoxingProgram
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) September 29, 2017
It’s been suggested by certain outlets that Wilder vs. Ortiz will be cancelled but that’s yet to be confirmed by either camp at the time of writing.
The Telegraph reports that Ortiz tested positive for the diuretics chlorothaizide and hydrochlorothiazide, both of which are on the banned list.
“I can verify the information Mauricio put out,” promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.
“I’m flabbergasted and particularly crestfallen for my fighter. Deontay Wilder is a great champion and a clean champion and probably has been victimised more than any other fighter in the history of the sport.”
This is not the first time that Ortiz has failed a drugs test. He was suspended for eight months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission three years ago after testing positive for Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, following a fight against Lateef Kayode.
And given that the 38-year-old seems to be a repeat offender, Liverpool heavyweight Tony Bellew wants him removed from the sport.
Ban Ortiz for life!
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) September 29, 2017
Bellew looks content to remain at heavyweight, having had his rematch with David Haye confirmed just hours after news of Ortiz’s failed drug test hit the headlines.
And it’s clear that Bellew is concerned about cleaning up his division if his take on the matter is anything to go by.
