Colby Covington blasts USA boxing for allowing trans competitors in women's division

In the days since USA Boxing's new rules went into effect on January 1, a number of high-profile athletes have blasted the organization for one change in particular, the decision to allow biological men to compete against women so long as they identify as transgender and abide by a long list of conditions.

Among the critics was UFC star Colby Covington, who chalked USA Boxing's actions up to an attempt to regain relevance.

"My first reaction is that I think it’s a PR stunt," he told Outkick's Tomi Lahren on Thursday. "I think they’re just doing this because no one cares about USA Boxing anymore. Nobody’s talking about USA Boxing, so they have to do something to get some publicity because anybody in their right mind thinking that this is a 'good idea' needs to seek help immediately."

Covington called the policy "disgusting," saying in no uncertain terms that "biological men should have no place in women’s sports."

"I can't imagine being a woman my whole life and having a fair playing field, competing against other women, and then, all of a sudden, they just say, 'Hey, we're gonna let biological men come compete in our sports'."

"It’s unethical, it's dangerous and I don't want to see anybody get killed," he added, warning, "We need to reverse this, and we need to hold the line and not let this happen."

Under the policy, developed in 2022 but only included in the official rulebook this year, a biological male can compete against females if he "identifies as a female and has completed gender reassignment surgery ... has undergone quarterly hormone testing and gives the organization documentation of hormone levels for a minimum of four years."

Additionally, he must prove that his testosterone levels have been below 5 nanomoles per liter 48 months before his first fight as a female, and his total testosterone level must remain below 5 nmol/L through his eligibility to compete against females.

His conditions will be "monitored and tested at the fighter's expense," and a 12-month suspension will be handed down for "failing to meet the standards."