US boxing champion Alycia Baumgardner tested positive for two banned steroids ahead of her fight with Christina Linardatou last month.
The undisputed super featherweight champion defended her IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles with a unanimous decision victory over Linardatou on July 15 in Detroit.
But it has now emerged that the 29-year-old failed a random anti-doping test carried out just a few days earlier. Baumgardner tested positive for mesterolone and methenolone acetate metabolites.
The news represents another damaging blow for the sport and comes less than a fortnight after Dillian Whyte’s failed anti-doping test saw his rematch against Anthony Joshua cancelled.
US boxing champion Alycia Baumgardner tested positive for a banned steroid last month
She released a statement on Wednesday saying: ‘On August 12, 2023, I was informed that an “A Sample” I provided on July 12, 2023, resulted in an “Adverse Analytical Finding” of mesterolone and methenolone acetate metabolites, two substances I’ve never heard of or used in any way.
‘The sample provided immediately after my fight on July 15, 2023 tested clean and negative for all banned substances, as did my sample on June 16, 2023, which makes the July 12th result essentially impossible.
‘To be abundantly clear, I know that I never have, never would, and never will take this or any other drug. Not only would doing so be unethical, but it would also be completely to contrary to how I’ve trained my entire career.
‘As a professional athlete, I and I alone am responsible for what I put in my body, and my body is a temple. I am also a proud role model for any young woman or girl who seeks to follow in my footsteps. I take those responsibilities very seriously – which is why I know that I did not and would never put these substances in my body.
‘I have a lot more to say about my journey and why the very idea of me taking an illegal, banned, or even dangerous substance would never make sense. So I have no intention of sitting back in silence and letting this “play out”. I plan to keep you all updated every step of the way as I work to ensure my reputation as a clean athlete remains fully intact.’
Rumors of her failed test emerged on Monday, to which she said on social media: ‘Another Day! Another battle. Keep showing y’all faces.’
But later on Monday, Baumgardner’s promoters Matchroom Boxing confirmed the positive test.
‘Matchroom can today confirm that Alycia Baumgardner returned an adverse analytical finding as part of a random anti-doping protocol instituted voluntarily for her bout with Christina Linardatou in Detroit on 15 July,’ they said in a statement.
It comes less than a fortnight after news of Dillian Whyte’s failed anti-doping test
‘Matchroom was first informed of this result on 12 August. The applicable regulatory authorities are also aware and we defer to such bodies for further action and guidance as a full investigation is conducted.
‘Matchroom is committed to promoting a clean and fair sport for all athletes, and will assist Alycia and her team during this time, affording her the appropriate due process.
‘As we wait to receive more information, Matchroom will not be making any further comment.’
Linardatou’s promoter Lou DiBella took bemoaned a lack of transparency in the sport’s anti-doping protocols.
‘I have been informed that there were adverse PED findings in test(s) of the champion, Alycia Baumgardner,’ DiBella wrote on social media.
‘At this point, I have no specific information; I believe that the Michigan commission and world ratings (organisations) have been informed.
‘Michigan will not confirm anything to me and told me I would need to make a Freedom of Information Act request. I have not heard from the sanctioning bodies yet. PED testing in boxing is a trip.’