Boxing plans to create a category exclusively for TRANSGENDER athletes in 2023, with the WBC pushing forward for “safety and inclusion reasons”… as the sport prepares to initiate a “global appeal” for transgender athletes
- The World Boxing Council plans to create a transgender category in 2023
- WBC boss Mauricio Sulaiman wants boxing to evolve for “safety and inclusion”.
- The sport’s proposal, which is still in its infancy, is to adopt the rule “at birth”.
- Sulaiman insisted that trans boxers should not fight non-trans athletes
The World Boxing Council is reportedly planning to introduce a new category exclusively for transgender fighters in 2023.
The sport will soon launch a “global call” for trans athletes to sign up before next year with the goal of starting a new league or tournament.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman believes boxing needs to evolve for “safety and inclusion reasons”.
World Boxing Council boss Mauricio Sulaiman plans to introduce a new transgender category
In an interview with The Telegraph, he insisted that trans fighters should not be allowed to compete against non-trans athletes because of their proposal.
“We’re going to put out a global call for those interested in 2023, and we’re going to do the protocols, start deliberations, and most likely create a league and tournament,” Sulaiman said.
“It is time to do this and we are doing it for safety and inclusion reasons. We were at the forefront of the rules for women’s boxing – so the dangers of a man versus woman fight will never materialize because of what we are about to introduce.
“In boxing, a man fighting a woman must never be accepted, regardless of gender reassignment. There must be no gray area, and we want to approach this with transparency and make the right decisions.
“Transgender transition from female to male or male to female will never be allowed to fight another gender from birth.”
Patricio Manuel became the first American male transboxer to fight pro in 2018
By adopting the “at birth” rule, the sport allows trans fighters to compete only if the athletes were born of the same sex.
Sulaiman added: “We are creating a set of rules and structure so that transgender boxing can take place in the way they deserve if they want to box.
“We don’t yet know the numbers that are out there, but we’re opening a universal registry in 2023 so we can understand the boxers that are out there — and we’ll start from there.”
The concept of transgender athletes competing in athletics has come under the spotlight in recent years, with swimming, weightlifting, cycling and rugby union among the sports at issue.
As boxing is a contact sport, the WBC was keen to address the issue and propose an appropriate plan of action to ensure all health and safety concerns are addressed.
Sulaiman is excited to see the sport evolve ahead of next year for “safety and inclusion reasons.”
Danny Baker, Britain’s first transgender boxer, switched in his 20s after being born female and has since fought in a handful of semi-professional bouts.
However, according to The Telegraph, the Boxing Board of Control was urging Baker not to hold a boxing license.
In 2018, Patricio Manuel became the first transgender male boxer to compete professionally in US history, defeating Mexican super featherweight champion Hugo Aguilar.
The 37-year-old, who has not fought since, underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2015 after being treated with hormones for about a year.
Britain’s first trans boxer Danny Baker was born female and transitioned in his twenties