World Boxing Acts, Gender Testing Mandated

World Boxing, the sport’s emerging global authority, announced a major policy shift on Friday, mandating gender testing for all boxers in its competitions. The decision, set to impact the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has immediate consequences, with Paris 2024 women’s welterweight champion Imane Khelif barred from competing until she completes the required genetic screening.

With over 100 national federations backing World Boxing, the organisation is focused on ensuring a fair and safe competitive environment in a sport defined by its physical demands. Khelif, whose gold-medal triumph in Paris sparked a global gender-eligibility debate, is at the heart of this new policy’s implementation.

Khelif in the Spotlight

The Algerian Boxing Federation, a World Boxing member since September, was notified that Khelif cannot compete in the female category at events like the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup (5-10 June) without passing the mandated test. World Boxing’s statement was unequivocal: “Imane Khelif may not participate… until she undergoes genetic gender screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules.”

The policy, enacted swiftly by the organisation’s executive board under emergency authority, requires all boxers over 18 to undergo a PCR genetic test. Conducted via swab or blood sample, the test identifies the Y chromosome to determine eligibility for male or female categories based on biological gender or differences in sexual development (DSD). Khelif, unreachable for comment, has previously stated she is not transgender and plans to defend her title in 2028.

A Response to Controversy

The decision follows a stormy year for boxing. Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, both Paris gold medallists, faced intense scrutiny after the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Khelif from the 2023 World Championships over a gender-related test. With the IBA stripped of Olympic recognition, the International Olympic Committee cleared Khelif for Paris, but World Boxing’s new rules signal a tougher stance.

 “This is about protecting athletes in a combat sport,” World Boxing stated, highlighting the physical risks in Olympic-style boxing. The policy navigates a complex issue, intensified by recent moves like a US executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.

What’s Next for Boxing?

As the Eindhoven Box Cup approaches, attention turns to Khelif and the Algerian federation’s response. World Boxing’s rapid rise since 2023 and its IOC recognition for 2028 lend the policy significant clout. The introduction of mandatory gender testing is a defining moment for the sport, likely to fuel ongoing debates about fairness and inclusion as boxing charts its future.