USA Boxing faces backlash after allowing post-op trans women to compete in female competition

USA Boxing will allow trans-identified biological males to compete against women starting in 2024, according to a new update on the league's "transgender policy."

A number of requirements must be fulfilled in order to compete in a gender category that differes from a competitor's biological sex, such as the announcement of the new gender identity, undergoing sex change surgery, and submitting to routine hormone testing. This applies to competitors over the age of 18. Those under that age bracket must still compete in categories aligned with their birth sex, the Daily Mail reports.

USA Boxing, which is the Olympic National Governing Body of boxing in the United States, released a statement on Friday announcing its updated policy decision and said: "The purpose of this policy is to provide fairness and safety for all boxers."

Male-to-female boxers must show that, for at least 48 months before their first competition, their serum total testosterone level was less than 5 nmol/L. To compete in the female division, their serum total testosterone level must stay below 5 nmol/L for the duration of their intended eligibility.

A male boxer must, however, demonstrate that his serum total testosterone level has been above 1O nmol/L for at least 48 months previous to his first competition and has been above that level for the duration of his eligibility.

This comes as trans-identified biological male athletes have taken hold of women's sports, causing immense backlash as they continue to dominate female competitors across the board.

Female boxers have repeatedly spoken out against transgender competitors in the sport, citing unfairness and critical safety concerns. Viral videos have emerged across social media showing these female boxers being forced to compete against trans-identified biological men, causing mass outrage as they are seen being physically beaten by men in violent matches.

In October, Canadian female boxer, Dr. Katia Bissonnette of Saguenay, withdrew from the provincial championship in Quebec after finding out one hour before the match that she would be competing against a transgender competitor. The reason she withdrew was over safety concerns.

"According to a study, a male blow has 163% more impact than a woman's, even adjusted for weight," Bissonette said, citing a study conducted by the University of Utah. "In the group studied, the weakest man remains physically superior to the strongest woman."

Bissonette said that due to the increased risks combat sports pose to women, the acceptance of trans-identified biological men into the competing sphere could result in the cancellation of combat sports for women.

"Women shouldn't have to bear the physical and psychological risks brought by a man's decisions regarding his personal life and identity," Bissonette told Reduxx. "There should be two categories: biological male and female."

Professional martial artist Jayden Alexander also withdrew from a major competition after being forced to compete against a transgender boxer in July, according to Daily Mail. She said being forced to compete against a biological male made her feel "unsafe" and "scared."
 

"The experience was horrible and scary," said Alexander. "I was absolutely in fight or flight mode and as a seasoned competitor, I can honestly say I've never been there mentally before in a match."

"In the upcoming months, when I went to compete again, I had to self-exclude from a world series of Jiu Jitsu and from a women's absolute bracket at a NAGA to avoid competing with not one but two trans-male athletes," she explained.

Backlash ensued on social media after the policy was announced. Biological male fighter Fallon Fox bragged about "punching terfs" and also had fractured the skull of competitor Erika Newsome. Fox was then named the "bravest athlete in history."

Despite the significant backlash across all women's sports, the Biden administration's Department of Education is working to alter Title IX to add a protection for gender identity, which essentially diminishes protections for women.