American boxer Alycia Baumgardner tested positive for a banned steroid ahead of her victory over Christina Linardatou last month
- Alycia Baumgardner defeated Christina Linardatou by unanimous decision on July 15
- But the undisputed super featherweight champion failed a test a few days earlier
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US boxing champion Alycia Baumgardner tested positive for a banned steroid prior to 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 conducted just a few days earlier. Baumgardner would have tested positive for the steroid mesterolone.
It represents another damaging blow to the sport and comes less than two weeks after news of Dillian Whyte’s failed anti-doping test that saw his rematch against Anthony Joshua canceled.
‘Another day! Another fight,” Baumgardner wrote on social media after rumors of her failed test surfaced on Monday. “Keep showing your faces,” she added.
US boxing champion Alycia Baumgardner tested positive for a banned steroid last month
But later on Monday, Baumgardner’s Matchroom Boxing promoters confirmed the positive test.
“Matchroom can confirm today that Alycia Baumgardner returned an adverse analytical finding as part of an arbitrary anti-doping protocol voluntarily instituted for her fight with Christina Linardatou in Detroit on July 15,” they said in a statement.
‘Matchroom was first informed of this result on August 12. Applicable regulatory authorities are also aware and we are referring to such authorities 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 stand by Alycia and her team during this time by providing her with due process.
It comes less than two weeks after news of Dillian Whyte’s failed anti-doping test
“While we await further information, Matchroom will not be commenting further.”
Linardatou’s promoter Lou DiBella bemoaned a lack of transparency in the sport’s anti-doping protocols.
“I learned there were adverse PED findings in test(s) of the champion, Alycia Baumgardner,” DiBella wrote on social media.
‘At the moment I have no specific information; I believe the Michigan commission and world rankings (organizations) are aware.
‘Michigan won’t confirm anything to me and told me I would have to file a Freedom of Information Act request. I have not yet heard from the sanctioning authorities. PED testing in boxing is a journey.’