“The Weight That’s Been Lifted Off of Me”: Emotional Alycia Baumgardner Opens Up on WBC’s “Not Guilty” Verdict Months After Doping Test Fiasco

Alycia Baumgardner and her undisputed reign survive for another day. After going through a tumultuous 2023 where she was on the brink of getting banned for her failed PED tests, the latest WBC probe has come in her favor. Baumgardner’s ordeal started with her redemption win against Christina Linardatou in July and ended in a ruling with a catch.

WBC’s latest ruling has found the American champion not guilty due to the lack of conclusive evidence and further put her on a year’s probation that started on July 12. That puts her return date in July or August. While the fans are excited, it is ‘The Bomb’ who feels a “weight” has been lifted off her.

Emotional Alycia Baumgardner reflects on WBC verdict

The 29-year-old champion turned to her X handle and expressed her emotions about the WBC decision that announced her innocence. The fearsome boxer in the first post thanked Jesus as she wrote, “Thank you Jesus!!”. Following this, Baumgardner penned emotionally, “The weight that’s been lifted off of me.”

Soon, the Ohio native laid bare her struggles of the last few months, and her faith in the “Lord” paid off. She also extended a token of thanks to her team, who stood beside her through thick and thin. She wrote, “The patience I had to have during this whole ordeal has been very testing. But I kept my faith in the Lord… thankful for my team and for the people who have supported me through this. My integrity outshines the wickedness.”

In the last of her posts, the 15-1 record holder declared herself “NOT GUILTY!” while she shed “Happy tears !” The WBC’s ruling further stated that she would undergo a series of random anti-doping tests at her own cost. If she failed tests again, the WBC would take stringent action against her. However, till then, the fans and pundits can again dream of a long muted bout against Claressa Shields.

Is the coveted match with Claressa Shields on now?

While the latest WBC ruling has ensured Baumgardner will hold her undisputed crown, it has put her in a position where she can only return in July or August at the earliest. But her recent social media spat with Shields has piqued fans’ interest in what could be an undisputed vs. undisputed showdown next.

However, the super featherweight champion’ already has a mandatory in Delfine Persoon. Persoon’s team has eagerly waited for the Baumgardner decision and will now quickly move to set up the fight.

ALSO READ: “It’s Been Mentally Challenging… Financially Draining”: Months After Failed Doping Test, Alycia Baumgardner Opens Up About Challenges She Is Facing to Prove Her Innocence

What do you make of this latest development affecting Alycia Baumgardner? When do you think she will make her comeback, and against whom? Let us know in the comments below.

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