World Boxing will make female boxers take sex tests starting August 20. The organization wants to keep competitions fair and safe for everyone.
The new rule says women boxers over 18 must get genetic tests or medical exams to prove they were born female. This will start at the 2025 World Championships in Liverpool, UK, for all ten women's categories.
National boxing groups must do the tests and send in the results. If they don't, or if they fake results, the boxer can't compete and might face other punishments.
Boris van der Vorst, who runs World Boxing, explained why they're doing this:
"By introducing tests to certify an athlete's eligibility to compete as a man or woman, the new policy on 'Sex, Age and Weight' will ensure sporting integrity and protect the safety of all participants."
He also said:
"In a combat sport like boxing, we have an obligation to look after the integrity of all participants. I am convinced that this policy will bring safety and sporting integrity."
If a test finds a Y chromosome, doctors will look closer. They might do hormone tests or other checks. Boxers can appeal the results, and World Boxing says they'll help affected athletes.
The rule will start for men's boxing on January 1, 2026. Only people born male can box in men's events, and only people born female can box in women's events.
World Boxing spent a year working on this rule. They talked to experts and looked at medical, legal, and sports information.
World Boxing is pretty new. It started in April 2023 after the International Olympic Committee kicked out the old boxing group, the IBA, for money and management problems. In February 2025, the IOC said World Boxing could run Olympic boxing.
