The new USA boxing policy has approved transgender men to compete against female boxers, which will be adopted this year.
The new rules, applicable to boxers over 18, were introduced in 2022.
New USA Boxing Policy
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: A view of the Boxing Ring during the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation "Big Fighters, Big Cause" Charity Boxing Night at The Beverly Hilton on May 24, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
USA boxing has revised its regulations to permit male transgender boxers to fight in the women's division as long as certain conditions are met. Transgender male athletes require gender transition surgery to be identified as female and a proof of the procedure must be presented to USA boxing.
Therefore, a boxer is required to undergo sex change procedure, which requires hormone testing performed once every quarter for at least four years. The normal range for men is over ten nmol/L of testosterone, and less than 3.1 nmol/L was for women. Men who are transitioning must also meet testosterone requirements.
The policy stated, "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." Furthermore, the athlete's total testosterone level in serum must remain below five nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female category.
A male athlete in female competitions would face a 12-month suspension if they failed to meet these eligibility conditions. USA boxing is the national governing body of amateur boxing in the Olympic style and was recognized by the US Olympic Committee. The organization works to develop and publicize the sport locally, regionally, and nationally.
The organization also selects teams for international events, including the Olympics, Pan American Games, and the World Championships. The decision by USA boxing to permit men to compete against women could significantly impact the sport in the country because of its major influence.
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Women's Rights Advocates, Athletes Speak Out
Athlete and women's rights advocate Riley Gaines posted on X, formerly Twitter, "Mark my words, it will take a woman getting killed before these misogynistic fools wake up."
On December 31, women's boxing star Ebanie Bridges called USA boxing's new rules wrong on "many levels."
Bridges said that it was bad enough having trans women breaking records in other sports like track and field, swimming, and powerlifting. However, it was a little different from cracking women's skulls in combat sports, where the aim was to hurt someone and not just break a record.
She added that people do not see references or debates for transmen in sports as it was not just about the test levels but also about their bone density and a heap of other biological factors. She claimed that cutting someone's parts off and adding boobs would not take back the masculine maturity of their body before they decided to be a woman.
Related Article: Female Boxer Pulls Out from Match vs. Trans Fighter
