World Boxing Introduces Mandatory Sex Testing Policy for Global Competitions Starting July 1
World Boxing will enforce a new mandatory sex testing policy beginning July 1, 2025, requiring all athletes over the age of 18 to undergo genetic testing before competing in male or female categories at any World Boxing-sanctioned event. This move aims to “ensure safety and competitive fairness” and will be implemented under the new “Sex, Age and Weight” policy developed by its Medical and Anti-Doping Committee.
New rules will redefine athlete eligibility in all sex-specific categories
The policy mandates PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing to identify chromosomal sex based on detection of the SRY gene, a marker of the Y chromosome. Athletes will be classified for competition based on the results:
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Eligible for male category: Presence of Y chromosome (SRY gene), including some cases of DSD (differences of sexual development) with male androgenization.
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Eligible for female category: Absence of Y chromosome or DSD without male androgenization.
National Federations will be responsible for testing and must certify each athlete’s chromosomal sex when entering them into World Boxing competitions. A failure to do so — or falsifying results — will bar the athlete from competition and may lead to federation-level sanctions.
If initial results are ambiguous or indicate DSD, further testing (including hormonal and anatomical evaluation) will be handled by independent medical specialists.
World Boxing insists this policy was crafted in the interest of fairness and safety in combat sports, particularly given the risks involved in Olympic-style boxing. An appeals process and clinical support will be available for athletes who test positive for Y chromosome material but wish to challenge the ruling or seek clarification.
Imane Khelif suspended pending sex testing results
As part of this policy’s rollout, Imane Khelif of Algeria has been suspended from competing in any female category events until she completes sex verification testing. This includes the Eindhoven Box Cup (June 5–10). World Boxing stated the move was made to “protect the mental and physical health of all participants” amid ongoing scrutiny around Khelif’s eligibility.
The Executive Board bypassed standard Congress procedures to enact these eligibility rules, citing “emergency circumstances” and the need to adapt to evolving conditions.
World Boxing was recognized as the official governing body of the sport by the IOC in February 2025. With boxing reinstated in the LA28 Olympic program, the organization says this policy is part of its effort to modernize standards and align Olympic boxing with broader medical and competitive integrity measures.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025
Applies To: All World Boxing-sanctioned events and athletes over 18
Testing Required: PCR test for chromosomal sex (via swab, saliva, or blood)
Oversight: National Federations responsible for testing and certification
Appeals: Formal process available for disputed results
Further Info: www.worldboxing.org
Good decision, sad it’s too late for the 2024 Olympics. Male and female categories in sport exist for safety and fairness. The sympathy we feel for those affected by developmental disorders should not override the science.
‘Mandatory sex testing?? That sound like something from a dystopy novel 📖 athletes are not lab rats for genetic sorting! If IOC allow this who knows wats next – brain scan for aggression levels??! Terrible precident being set here.’
‘This whole thing gone too far,, people fighting over gene testin when what matter is training & discipline💪🤜 Just cause someone have chromosome dont mean they better fighter.. it’s inside heart not genes that make champion!’
‘Good desicion by world boxin finally take step too protect womens from unfaire match ups 👍 Too long we see men in ring pretend be woman n win easy fights… Not fair! Biology matter even if it hurt fealings sometimes.’
‘So if someone has DSD but no SRY gene, then what now??? 🤷♀️ Is this policy even peer reviewed by medical society or they just made it up?? Boxer need medical clearance already why add DNA police too!!! This aint olympics it’s invasion of privacy rights!!!
While i undrestand the need for fairness in phsically intense sport like boxing, mandating genetic testin is ethically dubious and borderline discriminatory. The decision bypassed normal protocals and lacks transparancy. What consitutes ‘male androgenization’? Who decides? The implications go far beyond what World Boxing might realize.
Nope Eleanor your missing point!! If you let anyone fight how they want then men can just say they women n beat up real women! 🤦♂️ Its dangeros sport u cant joke with that kind thing.
@EleanorBell agree with you completely, the rules are vague and could lead to unfair exclusions based on incomplete understanding of biology or gender identity. It’s a mess waiting to happen.
I dont think this law is fair to pepole with different body types. 😡 Not everyone fits into the ‘XY’ or ‘XX’ boxe, and now they gonna be puniched for nature? This is bad sciense and worse sport ethic. Boxing shoud be about skill not DNA barcodes!
Why they wanna do this now? 🤔 Boxers just want 2 fight and train, not get gene test like in science class. This rule is more confuse than help and its gonna make more problams for evry1 not less. I think its kind of wrong making peple proof their sex just to punch good.