One of the fastest-rising stars in professional boxing finds herself in the midst of controversy.
Just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, Dan Rafael of Big Fight Weekend reported that undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner had tested positive for mesterolone on July 12. According to the National Institute of Health, the banned substance is a “synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) and derivative of dihydrotestosterone.” The positive test was reportedly administered on July 12 before Baumgardner’s most recent title defense against Christina Linardatou in Detroit and the results were returned on August 10. It is unclear if Baumgardner’s positive test will force the bout to be ruled a no-contest or if she will be stripped of her world titles.
Baumgardner has disputed the results of the test. In a statement, the Ohio-born champion says that she produced negative tests on June 16 and immediately after her fight on July 15. Her promoter, Matchroom Boxing, also released a statement in which it says that it will assist her team “during this time, affording her due process.”
“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,” Baumgardner said.
“To be abundantly clear, I know that I never have, never would and never will take this or any other drug.”
Def Pen has reached out to Drug Free Sport for further comment regarding the matter.
