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Home » Ortiz thrown out, Wilder to face mandatory Stiverne next, say WBC

Ortiz thrown out, Wilder to face mandatory Stiverne next, say WBC

Veteran Ortiz was pencilled in to challenge WBC heavyweight title holder Deontay Wilder on November 4, although an adverse finding was flagged earlier this week.

Following an investigation by the WBC, President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the result from the 55th Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“The WBC has concluded the process, according to its Clean Boxing Program protocol, in the adverse finding of Luis Ortiz.

“An official ruling has been sent to the corresponding parties.

“The WBC has withdrawn its sanction of the Deontay Wilder vs. Ortiz fight, and Wilder will fight next his mandatory fight against Bermane Stiverne.

“Specific details will be released at a later date,” said the statement.

WBN predicted Wilder v Stiverne II in the wake of the initial confirmation by the WBC despite an offer from British contender Dillian Whyte to step in.

Wilder facing Stiverne, whom he originally defeated to pick up the green and gold belt in January 2015, would then free up the American for a unification in 2018.

Stiverne, 39, remains the only fighter to go the distance with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in 38 bouts, but has fought just once since the reverse and has been out of the ring for almost two years.

The contest is expected to take place on the date pencilled in for Wilder v Ortiz as Stiverne was already set to fight on the undercard.