The inclusion of transgender women in boxing has sparked considerable debate and discussion in recent years. While instances of transgender women competing in combat sports remain relatively few, they have garnered significant attention within the sporting community.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says transgender women competing in women’s sports is “bizarre” and “shouldn’t be allowed”. “But not sport, not a fair sport, it’s not a fair race, it’s not a fair competition,” he told Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan. “It can’t be allowed.”
Hearn went on to say: ” I’m of the old school mentality where, you know, of course, male athletes compete against male athletes. Female athletes compete against female athletes. It’s an awkward conversation to have. It’s not about a level plan when you talk about physical sports.”
“And boxing is a great example. We haven’t had that problem yet, but it might Tyson suddenly turn around. I’m Michelle Tyson. And I’m going to compete as a woman. The world would go completely crazy and say, You’re going to kill somebody. You’re going to kill a woman. But we seem to be perfectly okay with six foot four inch swimmers, my biological males dominating women’s bizarre sprinting weightlifters, bizarre shouldn’t be allowed.”
“And ultimately, you know, whoever you upset, you upset, but not sport. Not not not a fair sport. Not a fair race, not a fair competition. It’s to me the same as (using PEDs) is giving yourself a physical advantage. ”
One of the most prominent cases is that of Fallon Fox, who participated in MMA from 2012 to 2014 and achieved a record of 5-1. Another notable example is Patricio Manuel, a transgender man with a commendable 3-0 professional boxing record since his debut in 2018.
Earlier this year, Ebanie Bridges expressed her perspective on the matter. The ‘Blonde Bomber’ became one of the first high-profile boxers to advocate for transgender boxers to compete against athletes of their biological sex.