Luis Ortiz is no longer Anthony Joshua’s mandatory challenger for the WBA ‘super’ title, the organisation have confirmed.
Unbeaten Cuban Ortiz has been handed a one-year ban from WBA-sanctioned fights for failing a drug test.
"Ortiz's status and recognition as mandatory contender is revoked. Ortiz is removed from the WBA ratings and suspended from participation in any WBA sanctioned bouts for one year [until Sept. 22, 2018]," a WBA statement read.
"After March 22, 2018, Ortiz may request his suspension be lifted, which may only be granted in the sole discretion of the WBA."
Ortiz also failed a drug test after a 2014 win over Lateef Kayode in which he claimed an interim version of the WBA title, but that result was overturned to a 'no contest'.
Ortiz was scheduled to challenge for Deontay Wilder's WBC belt this weekend but was withdrawn after his failed drug test.
Wilder will instead rematch Bermane Stiverne, in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.
Meanwhile Joshua, who saw off his IBF mandatory Carlos Takam last month, must await a new mandatory challenger being named for his WBA title.
Watch Deontay Wilder defend his WBC world heavyweight title against Bermane Stiverne, live on Sky Sports, in the early hours of Sunday morning at 1am. Before that, Dmitry Bivol, Jamie McDonnell, Dereck Chisora and Scott Quigg box in Monte Carlo, live on Sky Sports from 7pm this Saturday.