Fighters Screened for Sex Before Women’s Boxing Championship
New Boxing Regulations Mandate Sex Verification for Athletes
World Boxing, the international governing body, is implementing mandatory sex verification testing for all boxers competing in the women’s division, beginning with the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool this September. The tests, utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or equivalent genetic screening, will determine biological sex at birth by identifying the presence or absence of Y chromosome genetic material.
This policy directly impacts athletes like Imane Khelif of Algeria, who recently won Olympic gold in the welterweight category but will be required to undergo testing before competing in future events. Khelif previously faced scrutiny regarding her gender eligibility, though she maintains she was born female and has competed as a woman throughout her amateur career.
World Boxing President Boris Van Der Vorst emphasized the institution’s commitment to inclusivity while prioritizing safety and fairness in the combat sport. The new regulations also address athletes with Differences in Sexual Development (DSD) – conditions involving atypical development of genes, hormones, and reproductive organs – stating that those with male androgenization will be eligible only for men’s competitions.
The introduction of these rules follows Khelif’s decision to withdraw from a tournament in the Netherlands in June,shortly after World Boxing initially announced its plans for sex testing.the policy aims to establish clear criteria for participation in women’s boxing, navigating the complex intersection of athletic competition, biological factors, and inclusivity.