In a massive development in the boxing industry, America’s national governing body for amateur/Olympic-style boxing has allowed trans women to compete against cisgender boxers. However, it comes with some seriously strict guidelines. It’s worth mentioning that boxers under the age of 18 will still have to fight as their birth gender, but trans fighters but fighters who have transitioned from male to female will now get the opportunity to choose.
Today, Boxing Kingdom took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing the regulations with their followers. “USA boxing has officially approved transgender fighters. A boxer who has transitioned from male to female is now allowed to fight,” Boxing Kingdom wrote in the caption. However, it begs the question – what are the new guidelines that fighters will have to adhere to?
Strict guidelines from USA boxing
For male transitioning athletes, the first condition indicates, “The athlete has declared that her gender identity is female and has completed gender reassignment surgery.” The next rule talks about the quarterly hormone testing and proper documentation. “The athlete, for a minimum of four years after surgery, has had quarterly hormone testing and presents USA Boxing documentation of hormone levels.”
USA boxing has officially approved transgender fighters. A boxer who has transitioned from male to female, is now allowed to fight. pic.twitter.com/uDQpdBQxI0
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) December 30, 2023
The following rule details qualifying testosterone levels that need to be met before a fight is approved. “The athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 5 nmol/L for at least 48 months prior to her first competition (with the requirement for any longer period to be based on a confidential case-by-case evaluation, considering whether or not 48 months is sufficient length of time to minimize any advantages in women’s competition).”
The final rule describes the duration of an athlete’s testosterone should remain at a given level for them to be eligible. “The athlete’s total testosterone level in serum must remain below 5 nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female category.” These rules will address similar cases as the one that transpired back in November this year.
Canadian boxer steps out after learning about her opponent’s Trans identity
According to reports, the Canadian boxer, Katia Bissonnette, pulled out of a fight after she discovered her opponent, Mya Walmsley, was born a biological male. She also came upon the news mere hours before the 2023 Provincial Golden Glove Championship. Therefore, she decided to drop out of the competition and Walmsley was thus handed the victory, as the authorities could not find an opponent for her.
Also Read: ‘UFC Could Never’: Boxing World Reacts to Special Division for Transgenders
In an interview with Reduxx, Bissonnette stated, “My coach…told me he received information by text message, which he had then validated, that my opponent was not a woman by birth.” In a later statement, Walmsley wasn’t happy with Bissonnette’s decision to pull out. Walmsley claimed Bissonnette should have spoken to her or her coach, but she decided to go to the media.
UBA Boxing’s decision to introduce new regulations for transitioning biological male boxers will help the athletes maintain transparency and fairness in the sport. What do you think about the rules? Do you think USA Boxing missed something? Tell us in the comments below.
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