(FEB 23) Alycia Baumgardner won by unanimous decision in her rematch against Christina Linardatou on July 15, 2023 and successfully defended her WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO titles. Baumgardner lost to Linardatou by a close split decision in 2018 which is still her only loss as a professional.  The World Boxing Council (WBC) published a statement on January 15, 2024 regarding the status of Baumgardner.

The WBC stated that a urine sample was collected from Baumgardner on July 12 which was three days prior to her rematch against Linardatou. The anti-doping test results of that urine sample were not revealed until after the fight. The WBC further stated that the results yielded an adverse finding for a banned substance. The WBC stated that the substance was Mesterolone. Mesterolone is a synthetic androgen. The definition of androgen is a male hormone. Both men and women have androgens naturally, but men make more androgens than women.

The WBC found Baumgardner not guilty of intentionally ingesting or consuming a banned substance for the purposes of performance enhancement. Therefore, Baumgardner is still the WBC super featherweight champion.

However, the WBC ruled that Baumgardner would be placed on probation for one year from the date that the urine sample was collected which was July 12, 2023. That was about seven months ago, so she only has about five months remaining of probation until July 12, 2024. The probation involves “a series of random anti-doping tests.” If there is an adverse finding in any of the samples during her probationary period, then the WBC would take action against Baumgardner.  [Source/WBC]

Baumgardner’s rematch against Linardatou took place in Detroit, Michigan which is where Baumgardner resides. The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission (MUCC) is still investigating the anti-doping test results despite the WBC’s ruling. After inquiring about the status of the investigation, I received an email from Deputy Communications Director Jeff Wattrick of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA): “An investigation into this matter was opened to review possible violations of the Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act and its associated administrative rules.As this remains an ongoing investigation, neither the Commission nor the Department may comment on the matter.” Baumgardner denies taking any banned substance.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has an Advisory Notice on its website which is dated February 5, 2024: “Please be advised that in the event any WBO Champion (male or female) tests positive for any banned substances, it is not necessary that the WBO demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the fighter’s part considering that it is the fighter’s duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter his/her body. Fighters are fully responsible for any prohibited substances found to be present in their body.” Obviously, the WBO has a different viewpoint from the WBC. It is likely that the WBO is waiting for the investigation of the MUCC to be completed before it decides on whether or not to strip the WBO title from Baumgardner.

ESPN has divisional and pound-for-pound ranking lists on its website for men’s and women’s boxing. ESPN’s most recent women’s boxing divisional rankings were published on February 13, 2024. For the junior lightweight (also known as super featherweight) division which has a weight limit of 130 pounds, an editor’s note is stated just below this list which ranks five boxers in that division. The note states that Alycia Baumgardner has been removed (from the rankings) because of testing positive for a banned substance.At the top of ESPN’s junior lightweight rankings for women is Delfine Persoon of Belgium. Persoon won in May 2023 against Bo Mi Re Shin of South Korea by split decision. Bo Mi Re Shin is currently ranked No. 4 at junior lightweight by ESPN. ESPN published their pound-for-pound rankings for women on January 25, 2024. Baumgardner is not ranked on their pound-for-pound list whereas Persoon is ranked No. 10.

Another sports media company has similarly made a decision regarding Baumgardner. The Sporting News (SN) removed Baumgardner from its rankings for the same reason that ESPN stated. SN stated that Baumgardner may be rated in the future if she is cleared to fight by relevant authorities and commissions. SN published their current list of top pound-for-pound female boxers on January 22, 2024. Persoon is ranked No. 11 by SN. SN compiles its divisional rankings for men’s boxing, but not for women’s boxing. Baumgardner is The Ring Magazine champion at junior lightweight and she continues to be ranked on its pound-for-pound list. The Ring last updated this list on February 2, 2024. Baumgardner is rated No. 6 pound-for-pound by The Ring.

Persoon is the No. 1 ranked contender by the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO which are all the titles from sanctioning bodies that Baumgardner holds. It has not yet been determined who Baumgardner will fight next. The decision about a future opponent could be affected by any actions from one or more sanctioning bodies. The investigation of the MUCC is also very important. According to BoxRec, Baumgardner is still suspended by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC). A favorable decision by the MUCC will probably end her suspension. Even though the WBC is allowing Baumgardner to remain WBC super featherweight champion,she cannot fight again until the suspension has ended.

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