USA Boxing letting man fight a woman with transgender policy, says ex-boxer

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It’s basically man versus woman says a former female boxer of USA Boxing’s new transgender policy that allows trans women to fight against biologically born women.

The USA Boxing policy, which came into affect on Jan. 1, allows for transgender boxers to compete in the gendered divisions they identify with.

That doesn’t sit well with former boxer Christy Martin.

“I can’t believe that USA boxing would allow transgender (individuals) to compete,” Martin said in an interview with Fox News. “I mean, basically, you’re letting a man fight a woman.

“Your body, your bone structure, the density, it’s just different. And I think someone’s going to get seriously injured.”

The new policy states transgender men and women are allowed to compete in their biological divisions as long as they meet these requirements:

– Declare their gender and complete gender reassignment surgery;

– The boxer must complete quarterly hormone testing for a minimum of four years after reassignment surgery;

– Transgender women boxers must show testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L for at least three years prior to first competition;

– Transgender men must have testosterone at a level above 10 nmol/L throughout period of the competitor’s eligibility to compete in male category.

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USA Boxing’s new policy could have lethal effects and could deter new boxers from entering the competition, Martin said, adding they already have a tough time growing women’s boxing and this policy could possibly stunt further growth.

Regarding men’s boxing, Martin said while the focus is on male to female, it also affects female to male competition as well.

“In that case, transgender women are loading up on testosterone, of course,” she said. “So maybe they are actually at an advantage against a male competitor because their testosterone levels, would kind of be like juicing, and we know that’s illegal.”

Martin said the general reaction to the USA Boxing policy is negative and she hasn’t talked to “one person that thinks this is a good idea.”

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Martin competed between 1989 and 2012 and is a former WBC superwelterweight champion. She has a career record of 49 wins and seven losses, with 31 TKOs.

She was the first woman inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and was included in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020