Alycia Baumgardner’s PED-case seems to currently remain in a state of limbo following the revelation of her positive drug test(s) in August. Determined to prove her innocence, Baumgardner declared herself exonerated in November after an independence test on her hair follicles, in the aftermath of her fight with Christina Linardatou, did not detect any form of steroids within her body.

Alycia Baumgardner argued that the adverse analytical findings (AAF) found in the urine samples that were used to test for steroids were illegitimate as she maintained her innocence and questioned the methods that had been used which lead to her positive drug test. Baumgardner tested positive for the banned substances of mesterolone and methenolone.

“Last month, my team and I provided the sanctioning bodies a 22-page (not including 14 technical references) technical report to show in great detail how and why the AAF should not and cannot be trusted nor considered as accurate,” Baumgardner said in an official statement released to the public.

“To date, this comprehensive document is still being reviewed by the sanctioning bodies. But last week, I promised you “BIG NEWS,” so here it is.

“Today, I am proud to announce that an independent test of a sample of my hair by a reputable laboratory examined the time period from June through August of 2023 and has NOT DETECTED mesterolone or any other endogenous steroid in my body.

“As you read this statement, these results have been provided to the sanctioning bodies. 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. What I’ve stated from the very beginning is still true: I never have and never would cheat in the sport that I love and that I’ve been blessed with the gifts and opportunity to competitively dominate.

“I am a strong advocate for anti-doping and clean sport, especially in boxing. This is why I voluntarily signed up for drug testing years ago. However, just as importantly, I am a strong advocate for the fair treatment of athletes.

“Testing should be extended and further enhanced because all athletes deserve the ‘gold standard’ and fair treatment for testing. Athletes and their teams need to be informed of the specific details of their testing, who’s performing it, how it will be handled, and what standards will be applied. The results are too important and consequential to take lightly.“

Alycia Baumgardner’s statements, though concise and intelligible, only draw more questions as to the process of drug testing in boxing, the transparency and the efforts of stakeholders involved within the boxing industry, including the sanctioning bodies.

In her statement, Baumgardner revealed she had produced a 22-page report where she clarified why her AAF should be deemed invalid; a report which was likely used to respond to the WBO’s “Show Cause” notice which required Baumgardner to show just cause to hold onto her titles following the revelation of her failed drug tests in August.

However, despite the report she released privately and the independent test she has claimed to have conducted between July (the month her fight took place) and August, there has yet to be any official word on whether she is fully exonerated.

There is further confusion on what the exact consequences were to begin with following her failed drug test as only the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions) slammed her with a suspension that still lingers indefinitely.

Her drug tests were not conducted by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) or VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association)―which is a part of WADA―but instead by an organization called “Drug Free Sport“, which apparently conducts their drug tests through urine samples; which Baumgardner claims led to a faulty test.

It is yet unknown why a relatively unproven organization such as Drug Free Sport conducted all of the drug tests for the fighters that appeared on the July 15th card that was headlined by Baumgardner and Christina Linardatou, and neither has there been any explanation on why WADA wasn’t used instead given their reputation in sports when it comes drug testing.

Moreover, there also seems to be no legitimate process that Baumgardner has undergone to prove her innocence other than her own independent test and report which has not seemed to uplift her suspension by the ABC. Though the sanctioning bodies do seem to have received the reports and are reportedly reviewing her case, it is prevalent of how unorganized boing is that there is no official process for her to be cleared or penalized in any manner.

There is also a clear case of inconsistency with how drug cases are handled, evident by several other cases such as the case with American lightweight Keyshawn Davis who had the result of his match overturned for consuming cannabis while numerous other boxers that got caught with other illegal (and arguably more prevalent substances) were allowed to keep the records intact of the same fights they were tested positive for.

The entire manner in how cases steroid cases are handled appear amateurish and inconsistent, no more so than with Baumgardner’s case which is still not entirely made clear. Given she will still carry the stigma of a drug cheat due to her positive test, the lack of transparency and coherency from all the organizations involved only drives home the point of corruption within the sport, which is still very much prevalent.