Boxing: Kayode Power Set to Remain Unbeaten, as Ortiz Fails Drug Test

Luiz Ortiz set to vacate WBA interim heavyweight belt as his victory over Lateef Kayode is set to be ruled a ‘No Contest”.

Nigerian heavyweight boxer Lateef ‘power’ Kayode would remain unbeaten and likely get another shot at becoming World Boxing Association (WBA) interim heavyweight champion after his conqueror Luiz ‘the real king kong’ Ortiz tested positive for steroids following his first round loss to the Cuban last month in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten heavyweight Ortiz (22-0; 19KOs) tainted previously-unbeaten Kayode’s record (21-1; 16KOs) by first round TKO on Thursday, September 11, after referee Robert Byrd prematurely stopped the contest after just 2:55secs following a barrage of unanswered punches from Ortiz, who then joined Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev as the only recognized WBA heavyweight belt holders in their respective forms.

But part of the agenda for the Nevada State Boxing Commission’s meeting for October 27 request for a temporary suspension of Ortiz and a motion from the Ortiz camp to request a continuance and/ or extension of time to prepare for hearing.

Luiz Ortiz Fight on September 11 With Kayode Lateef is Most Likely Set to Be Ruled a 'No Contest' and The Nigerian's Loss Will Count a 'No Decision.' Image: Golden Boy Promotions.
Luiz Ortiz Fight on September 11 With Kayode Lateef is Most Likely Set to Be Ruled a ‘No Contest’ and The Nigerian’s Loss Will Count a ‘No Decision.’ Image: Golden Boy Promotions.

Ortiz look likely to lose the belt if the result of the bout, staged at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is changed and Lagos-born ‘Power’ would regain his status as an unbeaten heavyweight.