Boxing Update: Alycia Baumgardner Receives Major Relief in Doping Test Fiasco

Alycia Baumgardner can resume her career from where she left off a few months ago. The undisputed 130-pound champion’s last hurdle in clearing her name in the doping test fiasco has been lifted.

Last year in August, a month after her on-points victory over Christina Linardatou, it was reported the Michigan-based fighter had tested positive on her pre-fight test for a banned substance. Once a fighter who advocated for stringent drug tests in the sport, Baumgardner faced flak after testing positive for a banned substance. However, she did not step down and accept guilt. As per reports, now, the fighter’s been proven innocent. The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), on Friday, lifted its temporary ban on the fighter, clearing the path for her to continue her boxing career.

Alycia Baumgardner free to fight

On her social media, ‘The Bomb’ doubled on the efforts she undertook to prove her innocence. A screengrab of her Boxrec page laid the premise. She conveyed that her career was subjected to criticism but she never succumbed to it. In captions, she explained, “Through trials and tribulations, I’ve stayed true to my faith in Jesus Christ. Despite public scrutiny and lies, I remain strong and confident. My light shines bright, guided by God’s love. I am a courageous woman, unwavering in my journey.”

This comes a month after the WBC clarified her name officially in the matter. The sanctioning body communicated on 15th January, “Accordingly, the WBC found Ms Baumgardner not guilty of intentional ingestion or consumption of a banned substance for performance enhancement purposes, and confirmed her as reigning WBC Super Featherweight World Champion.”

While she had already announced the lifting of her suspension on the eve of Women’s Day, boxing reporter, Michael Benson confirmed the same today on his X, formerly Twitter. The back-and-forth in this case has raised many questions regarding the validity of such drug tests.

Read More: Boxing Update: Alycia Baumgardner Receives the Ultimate Gift on International Women’s Day

How Good Are These Drug Tests?

Once the news of the 29-year-old’s vindication from the drug-use allegations emerged, a conversation emerged questioning the validity of the test. There were multiple doubts levied regarding it. First, the timing of the test and the chain of its custody. It was reported that the samples were not received by the accredited lab Sports Medicine Research & Testing until July 21, nine days after it was collected on-site in Detroit.

Secondly, Baumgardner came forward herself, maintaining her innocence. She not only complied with the rules of all four sanctioning bodies and the ABC, but she also voluntarily submitted her hair samples for a private investigation into the matter. The results of the investigation too came back negative.

Now that her name has been cleared, it remains to be seen how quickly she’ll get back in the ring. What is your take on this fiasco? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also Read: Claressa Shields Keeps Personal Beef Aside in Support of Rival Alycia Baumgardner After Adrien Broner Crosses a Line