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Alycia Baumgardner reportedly popped hot before title fight
Alycia Baumgardner’s urine test came up positive for the banned steroid Mesterolone three days before she defended her titles against Christina Linardatou via unanimous decision. Legendary boxing scribe Dan Rafael broke the news on X (formerly Twitter):
“Per 4 sources with knowledge of results & paperwork I obtained, undisputed women’s 130 champion Alycia Baumgardner tested positive for banned steroid Mesterolone in 7/12 urine test conducted by Drug Free Sport, 3 days prior to Linardatou fight. Results came back 8/10” Rafael posted on X.com.
Lindardatou’s promoter responds
Lindardatou’s promoter Lou DiBella X’d that, “As Christina Linarditou’s promoter, I have been informed that there were adverse PED findings in test(s) of the champion, Alycia Baumgardner. At this point, I have no specific information; I believe that the Michigan Commission and world ratings orgs 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.”
Criticism of Commission
Boxing reporter Dan Canobbio was not shy in his criticism saying “This is a very, very bad look for boxing. SMH” and “The undisputed champion and one of the biggest names in boxing testing positive and STILL fighting is absolutely a bad look for the sport.”
Baumgardner vs Linardatou was a very important fight
Doric Sam summed up the stakes of the bout for Bleacher Report, “Linardatou (14-3, 6 KOs) is the only person to defeat Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs) in her career, handing her a split decision loss in July 2018. After the loss, Baumgardner rattled off eight straight wins, including a split decision victory over Mikaela Mayer this past October and a unanimous decision win over Elhem Mekhaled in February to unify the super featherweight titles.
“In the rematch against Linardatou, Baumgardner was booked as the main event of DAZN’s fight card that took place on July 15 in Detroit at the Masonic Temple Detroit. She cruised to a unanimous decision victory, winning by scores of 98-92 on two scorecards and 99-91 on the other.”
Baumgardner issues statement: ‘Two substances I’ve never heard of or used’
Alycia Baumgardner posted the following statement on social media:
“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 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 those 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.”
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