Alycia Baumgardner’s championship reign is now in jeopardy.
BoxingScene.com has learned that a pre-fight drug testing “A” sample provided by the undisputed junior lightweight champion tested positive for Mesterolone and Androsterone surrounding her July 15 unanimous decision win over Christina Linardatou. According to a report obtained by Boxing Scene, a urine sample collected on July 12 by testers contracted through Drug Free Sport showed an adverse analytical finding of the banned substance.
According to the test report, the lab received the sample to test on July 21. The result was reported on August 10, which showed “Mesterolone metabolite (and) 3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (Androsterone) detected” in the collected sample, which was classified as in-competition.
As is the case with all drug tests, the participant has the right to test the “B” sample or can challenge chain of custody. It remains unclear whether those steps will be taken in this instance. Messages left for the respective teams for both boxers (Matchroom Boxing for Baumgardner; DiBella Entertainment (for Linardatou) by BoxingScene went unreturned as this goes to publication.
Baumgardner (15-1, 7KOs) outpointed Linardatou over ten rounds in their championship rematch, which headlined a DAZN show from the champ’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The win avenged her lone career defeat when Linardatou claimed a split decision victory in their July 2018 non-title fight.
Nine straight wins have followed for Baumgardner, including her November 2021 knockout of unbeaten WBC junior lightweight champ Terri Harper. She then added the lineal, IBF and WBO titles in a ten-round, split decision win over undefeated, unified titlist Mikaela Mayer last October 15 in London.
The final chip came in a ten-round, unanimous decision over Elhem Mekhaled to claim the WBA title and full undisputed status on February 4 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City. The win over Linardatou marked the fourth overall defense for Baumgardner, though there stands a chance that the verdict will be changed to a No-Contest depending on any disciplinary action taken by the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission.
Boxing Scene has additionally learned that all four sanctioning bodies have been made aware of the development, though more evidence will need to be gathered before any make a ruling.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox