World boxing introduces compulsory sex tests for all fighters

World Boxing on Friday announced the introduction of mandatory sex tests for both male and female fighters, who want to compete in sponsored competitions.World Boxing said in a statement, “The introduction of compulsory tests will be part of a new policy on ‘sex, age and weight’ to ensure the safety of all participants and to give a competitive level playground for men and women.”The Federation said that it took a decision after a dispute focused around the Algerian boxer Emman Kheliff at the last year’s Paris Olympics.During a knockout round, the Italian rival of the game refused to fight her, as Khalif claimed that she was not a woman because she was very powerful. The game won the gold medal by climbing the ladder.The World Boxing, which has been asked by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organize a boxing competition for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, says that it has informed the Algerian boxing federation that Kheleif will have to do a sex test before allowing Kheleif to compete in the upcoming Endhowan box in Nedhar box from 5-10 June.“World Boxing wrote to the Algerian boxing federation to inform that Emman Kheleif will not be allowed to participate in the women’s category in the Endhowan Box Cup or any World Boxing Program, until Emman Khelef goes through sex tests,” Read in a statement of the world body.National boxing associations will need to provide certification to world boxing before the national boxing associations tested and confirmed the gender of individual athletes.

How will sex tests work?

The new policy will have to undergo more than 18 athletes to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test, before they will be allowed to participate in world boxing-approved events.The tests are conducted with a nasal or mouth broom or with samples of blood or saliva, so that a person can be genetically detected to determine the assigned sex of a person at birth.“PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic materials, in this case the SRY gene, which reveals the presence of Y chromosome, is an indicator of biological sex,” World Boxing said.World boxing stated that athletes wishing to compete in women’s categories “will be sent by medical experts to independent diagnostic experts for genetic screening of endocrine profiles, hormonal profiles, physical examinations or other evaluation,” if the initial test results show evidence of male chromosomal content.The new policy also provides the possibility of appeal.The game has announced a plan to protect its gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and is expected to return to the international competition at Endhovan next week.The champion boxer said in March, “For me, I see myself as a girl, like any other girl. I was born as a girl, grew up as a girl, and lived as a girl, and lived as one as one.”