By Jake Donovan

The undefeated record he boasts certainly suggests Luis Ortiz (24-0, 21KOs) has been perfect to date, but he remains haunted by the one low point thus far in his pro career. His Sept. '14 1st round knockout of Lateef Kayode in Las Vegas went from the celebration of a new heavyweight force to accusations of being the latest drug cheat. Drug testing conducted by Nevada State Athletic Commission produced results of nandrolone showing up in Ortiz' system.

When all was said and done, the unbeaten heavyweight was hit with an eight-month suspension along with having to own up to such circumstances in order to regain the trust of his promoter. Golden Boy Promotions. They've stood by his side through the process and now proudly promote his fourth fight in nine months as he prepares for a March 5 HBO-televised main event showdown with Tony Thomspon at the D.C. Armory in Washington D.C.

To this day, however, Ortiz and his management team wishes the aforementioned drug testing situation was handled better.

"I don't understand why commissions around the world who are here to take care of boxers would wait 21 days before sending a letter," Jay Jimenez, Ortiz' manager wondered aloud during a recent media conference call. "Especially, when (you consider) it was such a small margin of difference (between passing and failing). But it's over, it's something we don't think about any more as we just move forward with his career, and thank God everything has come out OK.

"We've suggested that someone should start hiring outside doctors for these commissions. It's a job that could save fighters' careers. Any test outside (of a commission's immediate jurisdiction), any contamination could give you a false reading."

It wasn't the alibi that the Nevada commission wanted to hear, nor did Golden Boy see it wise for its leading heavyweight to continue with that line of defense. Ortiz accepted the fine and suspension that came with the ruling before returning with a vengeance last June. He has scored three knockouts in the span of six months, including a 7th round stoppage of perennial Top 10 contender Bryant Jennings in his debut as an HBO headliner last December.

The fight with Jennings came with the request from his opponent for random pre-fight and post-fight drug testing. Ortiz not only accepted such terms but has chosen to adopt the practice as part of his regular routine.

"We do random drug testing all year-round," explained Jimenez, who confirmed that Thompson is welcome but not required to participate in the same level of testing to which they currently submit. "We get tested (randomly), every two weeks, every month, whenever they decide to come. Even when we got the letter from the Nevada commission, we did a test the very next day to show that he's a clean fighter.

"We can't do anything about that (situation), but Luis now does testing on his own just to clarify that he's a clean fighter."

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox