Welterweight boxing champion Victor Ortiz recently claimed that he knew all along that Andre “The Beast” Berto was a user of anabolic steroids. Berto first accused Ortiz of using steroids after Ortiz unanimously defeated Berto in Ring Magazine’s 2011 “Fight of the Year” on April 16, 2011. Berto said that only a steroid user could have defeated him. Ortiz responded by telling Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times that only a steroid user would make such accusations.
“My whole thing is [Berto] saying that if I can take a beating like that for 12 rounds and still win … he made the conclusion that I was on steroids,” explained Ortiz. “I thought, ‘You know, why would he say that? Maybe he’s on something.’ ”
Ortiz reported that his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Berto without a shirt during the joint commercial shoot promoting the fight for Showtime.
“I said, ‘He’s on something,’ ” Ortiz said. “Steroids are a bad thing, but you know, I didn’t care. I was still willing to fight him. I’m not mad at him. He didn’t deserve the fight, and now he’s not getting it.”
Ortiz had planned on facing top-ranked welterweight challenger Berto in a rematch on June 23, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. However, Berto was disqualified after he tested positive for steroids. The fact that Berto tested positive for steroids is quite ironic since he insisted that Ortiz agree to steroid testing as a condition of the rematch. The steroid accuser turned out to be a possible steroid user.
Anti-doping testing administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) found norandrosterone, a metabolite of the anabolic steroid nandrolone. Nandrolone decanoate is one of the most popular steroids used by bodybuilders. It is most commonly known by its trade name – Deca Durabolin. However, its use by athletes in drug-tested events is rare due to its extremely long half-life.
Berto hired Howard Jacobs, an attorney who has represented numerous athletes accused of using steroids, to represent him. It is suspected that Berto will claim the nandrolone positive resulted from the use of dietary supplements contaminated with traces of nandrolone.
Golden Boy Promotions has refused to await the results of Berto’s appeal. Golden Boy has signed Josesito Lopez to replace Berto as an opponent for Ortiz on June 23, 2012.
Source:
Pugmire, L. (May 24, 2012). Victor Ortiz says he suspected Andre Berto was steroid user. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-boxing-ortiz-staples-20120523,0,6516978.story
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