Alycia Baumgardner has declared her intention to face fellow American female boxer Claressa Shields at welterweight in a recent video, overlooking the banned substance mesterolone she tested positive for earlier this year in August. Despite Baumgardner’s desire to fight Shields and the passing of the deadline by the WBO to “show cause” that she did not intentionally dope, there has yet to be any substantial report regarding her failed steroid test.
Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KO’s) is currently suspended indefinitely by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) for her failed drug test. The WBO also sent a “show cause” order for her to give a valid reason to hold onto her title amidst the PED allegations. As the deadline set by the WBO for this order expired on November 30th and she has not yet been stripped, Baumgardner has presumably met and responded to the conditions of the WBO’s “show cause” notice.
Baumgardner’s ambition to face Claressa Shields (14-0, 2 KO’s) would at first appear unfeasible given the disparity between the two fighters and the divisions they are competing in, with more than four weight classes between them. Baumgardner is currently undisputed at super featherweight, while Shields is known as the undisputed champion of the women’s middleweight division.
However, Baumgardner seems adamant that she can not only face Shields but beat her if they fight in a weight class she proposes to be at welterweight. In a video recovered by FightHype, Baumgardner confirmed her interest in fighting Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron. Baumgardner further seemed to be itching to face Claressa Shields at welterweight.
“So, they [Matchroom] asked me, would you fight Claressa Shields?” said Baumgardner. “I said, ‘yes, I will fight Claressa Shields at 147 [lbs]. Make the fight’.“
“Why? If you’re calling out an MMA fighter, you can definitely fight me at 147,” asserted Baumgardner, alluding to Shields’ callout of MMA fighter Amanda Nunes several years ago.
Shields has also competed in MMA twice, where she has compiled a record of one win and one loss.
Baumgardner further maintained that she could make welterweight easily.
“Now I know what y’all are thinking, ‘you’re too small, she’s [Claressa Shields] is too big’, but I don’t care about none of that,” continued Baumgardner.
“Size does not matter to me, baby. It’s the skills, and I think it would be a great fight.“
Aside from Alycia Baumgardner being interested in fighting Shields, Shields in turn has also expressed interest towards fighting Baumgardner at the proposed weight of 147 lbs.
“P4P #1 wins at any weight class. I’d 100% fight Alycia Baumgardner at 147 or 154 or 160 or 168 long as it’s a belt or multiple belts on the line. You know I’m not hard to make a fight with.” Claressa Shields tweeted on December 14th.
The prospect of the two facing each other is mitigated slightly by the fact both are prominent female American fighters, and with Shields’ recent appearance on global broadcaster DAZN when she last fought Maricela Cornejo, it might not be too difficult of a match to arrange as Baumgardner is also tied to DAZN through Matchroom.
The only thing that seems to be standing in the way is Alycia Baumgardner’s supposed positive PED test, which has yet to lead to any known charges or investigations other than an indefinite suspension by the ABC which heavily puts the proposed match-up between the two undisputed female champions in doubt.
