“You, But Not on VADA”: Claressa Shields’ Message to Alycia Baumgardner Amid Self Doping Test Fiasco Receives Backlash From Fans

Alycia Baumgardner appears to have grabbed headlines. But that is not in a way that might be most beneficial to her. After her undisputed title defense on July 15 against Christina Linardatou, the Ohioan reported positive for banned substances. Then, in an effort to clear her name, she did a battery of independent tests, the results of which, in her words, proved that she hadn’t used PEDs.

Claressa Shields gave a big shout-out to Alycia Baumgardner and lauded her for proving that she wasn’t guilty of any wrongdoing. The undisputed middleweight champion said, “Shout out to @alyciambaum! Way to beat them charges and prove your innocence!” Both Baumgardner and Shields have expressed mutual admiration for each other in the past. So it’s hard to tell if the latter’s response was genuine or if she’s trying to poke fun.

How in the world is this even possible?

Now, as one of the followers pointed out, it might be Shields’ way of taking a dig at Baumgardner. But otherwise, nearly most of those who commented raised a similar point: how is it that a person a person conducts a non-supervised test on their own accord and then declares that they are above suspicion?

The following user seems wonderstruck at how someone could just examine themselves and conclude that they are innocent!

But this follower went straight down to brass tacks. They stated that no one has cleared Alycia Baumgardner. She seems to have pulled off a fast one that might have fooled her (Shields) but failed to sway VADA. Baumgardner appeared more culpable by doing her own research and declaring herself innocent, the follower posited.

Since when did sportspersons start doing their own independent tests to establish their innocence? The following user called out while asking Claressa Shields to establish it.

On similar lines, this user mentioned that the investigation that Alycia Baumgardner conducted on her own was basically meaningless.

But these followers seem to have a different stream of thought. According to them, Claressa Shields is actually making fun of Baumgardner. While everyone took her seriously, the world champion is astute enough. She knows that it is foolhardy to conduct your own investigation and then declare the case closed since you came out clean!

It was on Monday that Alycia Baumgardner shared a statement about her team reaching out to boxing’s governing authorities with a ’22-page technical report.’ One of the sections read, “These results conclusively rule out any possibility of intentional doping on my behalf and confirms for all of you that I’am what I say I’am.”

Matchroom Sports, Baumgardner’s promoters, have not yet released an updated statement, according to an article on Sky Sports. The WBC, WBA, WBO, or IBF have not released any updates either.

Baumgardner’s journey to the world title

The 29-year-old Freemont, Ohio-born boxer became an undisputed super featherweight champion on February 4 this year. She defeated Elhem Mekhaled unanimously. Five months later, she entered the ring again. Opposite her stood her old nemesis, Christina Linardatou. The Dominican-Greek boxer handed the American boxer her first professional defeat back in 2018. But this time, Baumgardner had the upper hand and defeated her opponent by a unanimous decision.

Read More: Sha’Carri Richardson Roped in as World Champion Claressa Shields Reveals the Sport She’d Watch for the ‘Rest of Her Life’ Other Than Boxing

What’s your take on the reactions? Shields is planning to enter the octagon next year; do you think she would achieve the same level of success there as she has in boxing? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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