WBA Suspends Luis Ortiz For One Year

“During the WBA’s consideration of Joshua’s objection to the September 25, 2017 Resolution, the WBC reported that Ortiz tested positive for prohibited substances Chlorothaizide and Hydrochlorathiazide during voluntary testing with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (“VADA”). Chlorothaizide and Hydrochlorathiazide are diuretics and potential masking agents.

Such a positive test violates WBA Rules and follows Ortiz’s positive test for steroids in September of 2014. Ortiz’s suspension for the steroid violation ended May 11, 2015.

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After providing Ortiz notice of the positive test and an opportunity to explain and comment before the WBA made a decision on the matter, Ortiz confirmed that he knew he was taking prescription medication for health reasons, specifically for high blood pressure/hypertension, and had been doing so since September 2016.

However, Ortiz did not disclose to his testers that he was taking prescription drugs, never requested a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) prior to the positive test, and provided no evidence that he previously disclosed use of such substances in any prior bout. Instead, Ortiz now requests that he not be sanctioned because the substance was for therapeutic use,” according to boxingscene.com

On top of the one year suspension, the WBA detailed what other action they will take against Ortiz.