Undisputed champion Alycia Baumgardner, the third Matchroom fighter in a year to test positive in an anti-doping test, has responded to failure charges.
Following a statement by the World Boxing Council, an investigation is underway following a ‘Drug-Free Sport’ testing system flag.
However, Baumgardner has denied the notion she had popped dirty. The four-belt super featherweight champion insists the adverse finding must be a mistake.
Alycia Baumgardner responds to positive drug tests
She stated: “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.
“These are 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 12 result essentially impossible.”
Baumgardner added that she prides herself on being a clean athlete and a positive force in the sport.
“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. 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.
“This 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. This is 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.”
Blaming the testing procedures
This latest saga brings more attention to the plight of boxers protesting. Those trying to convince fans that they are innocent following flags of this nature.
Not to say Baumgardner isn’t innocent, she may well be, but it’s another attempt to smear the companies testing the samples.
It seems to be a running theme that the boxer immediately blames the testing procedures. Something has to be done to ensure the testing, which is the only way any wrongdoing ever gets found out in a serious contact sport, doesn’t become the villain of the hour.
The procedures protect the fighters, whether minute traces or more than one substance. But in the sport’s history, there aren’t many boxers willing to stand up and say, ‘I made a mistake,’ and I take my punishment.
The go-to act is to blame the testers and drive forward with finding any weaknesses in the charges. For promoter Eddie Hearn and his Matchroom Boxing brand, it’s yet another headache they could do without.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of experienced boxing writer Phil Jay.
