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Alycia Baumgardner Reportedly Failed Pre-Fight Doping Test Taken Before Title Defence

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 16th August 2023.

Christina Linardatou vs Alycia Baumgardner

Following rumours circulating on social media that undisputed super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner had failed a doping test, reports have now emerged with more details.

Unconfirmed information made the rounds on Wednesday August 16 that the four-belt women’s champion was set to be announced as the latest fighter to have returned results with a banned substance.

Now, veteran boxing journalist, Dan Rafael, has reported that the 29-year-old from Detroit failed a Drug Free Sport test for anabolic steroid, Mesterolone.

It was a pre-fight test that took place three days before she faced Christina Linardatou this July 15 on a Matchroom card from her hometown, however, the results weren’t known untill nearly a month later.

The agency – Drug Free Sport – isn’t as common in boxing as other sports, but its website states that the comprehensive drug testing is used by 300+ college and professional organisations worldwide.

As the WBC’s champion, she should also be enrolled in its Clean Boxing Programme, which uses the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency to test.

Baumgardner introduced herself properly to UK fans with a devastating stoppage of Terri Harper back in 2021. Harper was out on her feet and was well protected by the referee waving it off to avoid further punishment.

The American walked away with the WBC IBF Super-Featherweight title that night, and would go onto add the WBO and IBF to her collection with a close split decision victory over Mikaela Mayer a year later.

The final piece of the puzzle – the WBC strap – was added this February against Elhem Mekhaled. Since then, Baumgardner has defended against Linardatou.

It’s that fight that Rafael reports the test was taken before. If proven to be true, it will be an incredible failing of a system that is already in need of an overhaul in the minds of most.

Baumgardner has been active on Twitter today, informing people she would be at the gym as usual as well as posting a well-known meme of someone proclaiming innocence.

She also said ‘Another day, another battle’, but has not responded to rumours directly.

Baumgardner later released a statement in full.