Alycia Baumgardner has been cleared of intentionally using Mesterolone by the World Boxing Council. The WBC Super Featherweight champion has been inactive since her bout last July following a failed anti-doping test, but is now free to return to the ring.
29 year old Alycia Baumgardner failed the tests under the WBC Clean Boxing Program following her win over Christina Linardatou. The WBC Clean Boxing Program is administered to all boxers ranked within the Top 15 of the governing body’s rankings . Baumgardner failed her tests for Mesterolone, an anabolic steroid used in the treatment of low testosterone.
The WBC released a lengthy statement earlier today discussing the decision to allow Alycia Baumgardner to return to the ring. One noteworthy section reads as follows:
Based on the Adverse Finding in Ms. Baumgardner’ A Sample, and considering all factors both sides presented, the WBC arrived at the conclusion that there was no conclusive justification to reject the accuracy of the Adverse Finding based on the evidence and arguments the Response and supplemental information presented.
However, that same evidence and arguments do not conclusively support Ms. Baumgardner’s intentional ingestion of Mesterolone for performance enhancement purposes.
The WBC believe the test has been administered fairly and correctly, and the results are accurate. However Alycia Baumgardner has been cleared of intentionally doping and as a result of her Adverse Finding will now be subjected to additional testing at her own cost. There is a probation in place if Baumgardner fails any additional tests, indicating the WBC will take swift action if she fails or fails to comply with any anti-doping tests.
Crucially there is no ban or suspension in place for the American Baumgardner, who is now free to return to the ring. Baumgardner also retains her WBC Super Featherweight title, alongside her 4 other titles.
The WBC’s stance is interesting. Contrasting this with procedure in the UK, UKAD would have taken a different stance. Under the rules of strict liability Baumgardner would seemingly be facing a two year ban for non-intentional ingestion of a banned substance.
You can read the full WBC judgement via the link below:
https://wbcboxing.com/en/alycia-baumgardners-status-wbc/
Alycia Baumgardner took to social media to express her gratitude to the WBC.
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