USA Boxing Approves Policy for Transgender Women to Fight Female Boxers in 2024

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• USA Boxing introduces a 'Transgender Policy' for 2024, allowing transgender boxers to compete in their identified gender category.
• Specific conditions include mandatory hormone testing and gender reassignment surgery.
• Policy follows the International Olympic Committee's 2021 ruling allowing sports federations to set their own transgender athlete policies.

USA Boxing has announced a new 'Transgender Policy' to be implemented in 2024, marking a significant change in the sport.

This policy will enable male-to-female transgender boxers to compete in the female category, provided they meet specific criteria. Athletes under 18 must still compete in their birth gender category, but those who transition will have the option to fight in their identified gender category.

The conditions for eligibility include a declaration of gender identity, completion of gender reassignment surgery, and ongoing hormone testing. Transgender athletes are required to undergo quarterly hormone testing and provide documentation of their hormone levels to USA Boxing for a minimum of four years post-surgery. Female transgender boxers must show a total testosterone level below 5 nmol/L for at least 48 months before their first competition, while male transgender boxers need to maintain a testosterone level above 10 nmol/L for the same duration.

USA Boxing's move aligns with the International Olympic Committee's 2021 decision, which placed the responsibility of setting policies for transgender athletes on individual sports and their governing bodies. As the International Boxing Federation has not yet determined eligibility criteria for transgender boxers, USA Boxing has proactively established its own regulations, prioritizing the safety of all boxers and fair competition.

This policy emerges amidst debates and concerns regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Instances of female athletes expressing fear and withdrawing from competitions against transgender women have been reported. The North American Grappling Association, for example, has revised its stance on transgender competitors following such incidents. This development in boxing is part of a broader discussion on transgender participation in sports, reflecting a complex and evolving landscape.

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