World Boxing, the governing body provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has ignited global debate with its newly announced policy mandating sex testing for all athletes competing in its events, starting with the upcoming World Boxing Championships in Liverpool from September 4 to 14, 2025. This bold move, effective as of August 20, 2025, comes just weeks before the organization’s inaugural championships and follows a year of mounting controversy and scrutiny over gender eligibility in international sport.
The policy, officially termed the “Sex, Age and Weight Eligibility Policy,” requires all boxers—women over the age of 18 in particular—to undergo a one-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or functionally equivalent genetic screening test. The aim is to determine an athlete’s sex at birth and confirm their eligibility to compete in the male or female categories. The tests specifically identify the presence or absence of Y chromosome genetic material, a key indicator of biological sex, and are intended to ensure, according to World Boxing, “the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women.”
This directive places the onus on national federations to conduct the required tests and submit chromosomal certification of their athletes. Athletes who fail to provide certification, or whose federations falsify documentation, will be rendered ineligible to compete and could face sanctions. The policy is particularly significant for the ten women’s weight categories at the Liverpool championships, marking the first time such a measure will be implemented at a major global boxing event.
The new rules were developed by a working group from World Boxing’s Medical and Anti-Doping Committee, following a year-long consultation with experts and careful analysis of medical, legal, and sporting evidence. “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,” said Boris van der Vorst, president of World Boxing. He further emphasized, “It has been a long and detailed process, but it was vital that we examined all of the medical, legal and sporting issues raised by this issue and I am confident that in introducing testing to certify the eligibility of an athlete to compete as a male or female, the new policy will deliver sporting integrity and protect the safety of all participants.”
The announcement comes in the wake of significant controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting both won gold medals in the women’s events after previously being barred from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to gender test results. The IBA’s decision at the time was criticized by the IOC as “an arbitrary decision without due process,” and both athletes were allowed to compete in Paris based on the gender listed in their passports. Their victories, however, sparked heated debate and global backlash over the participation of athletes whose eligibility had been questioned on the basis of sex testing.
World Boxing’s policy now stipulates that only athletes born male may compete in men’s divisions, and only those born female in women’s divisions. In cases where Y chromosome genetic material is detected or where differences in sexual development (DSD) are present, the results will be referred to a specialist medical panel for further assessment. This panel may order additional hormonal, anatomical, or endocrine profiling tests, and affected athletes will have access to an appeals process. World Boxing has also pledged to provide support for athletes navigating these complex and often deeply personal evaluations.
Notably, the policy is not limited to female athletes. While the first implementation targets the women’s category at the Liverpool championships, World Boxing has specified that, starting January 1, 2026, the same testing requirements will be extended to men’s categories in all its competitions. This expansion signals the organization’s intent to standardize gender eligibility across the sport, regardless of division.
The introduction of mandatory sex testing in boxing reflects a broader trend in international sport. Earlier in 2025, World Athletics—the governing body for track and field—became the first Olympic sport in recent decades to reintroduce chromosome testing, requiring female athletes to submit to the test once in their careers. The deadline for compliance is set for September 1, 2025, just days before the Liverpool championships begin. The move by World Boxing, therefore, aligns with a growing movement among sporting organizations to address questions of fairness, safety, and inclusivity in gender-segregated competition.
Reactions to the policy have been swift and polarized. Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), praised the decision, declaring, “World Boxing is leading the way on the international stage to restore the veracity and integrity of sex-based categories of sport. Their decision to enact mandatory sex testing is a victory for women’s safety and dignity.” Nance also called on other sports governing bodies to follow suit, arguing, “It is unconscionable that equal opportunity for women in sports has become an avenue for exploitation when athletes of the male sex identifying as women are allowed to participate and compete in sports designated for female athletes.”
Meanwhile, World Boxing has stressed its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all athletes. Boris van der Vorst stated, “World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and is keen to ensure it is as inclusive as possible, yet in a combat sport like boxing, we have a duty of care to deliver safety and competitiveness fairness.” The organization acknowledges the sensitivity of the issue and has emphasized the importance of due process, expert consultation, and the establishment of clear, transparent procedures for appeals and further evaluation.
The policy also has direct implications for high-profile athletes. In May 2025, World Boxing notified the Algerian Boxing Federation that Imane Khelif would need to pass a sex test to compete in the Eindhoven Box Cup in June. Khelif ultimately decided to skip the tournament. Van der Vorst later issued an apology for specifically naming Khelif while outlining World Boxing’s future testing plans, underscoring the delicate nature of these discussions and the intense public scrutiny faced by athletes at the heart of the debate.
As the countdown to the Liverpool World Championships continues, all eyes are on how the new regulations will be implemented and received. The event will serve as the first major test of World Boxing’s policy, and the organization has committed to monitoring compliance closely while maintaining its stated goal of “fair and safe competition” for all participants. With the potential for appeals and further developments, the coming weeks promise to be pivotal not only for boxing but for the broader conversation around gender eligibility in global sport.
For now, World Boxing’s bold move sets a new standard in the ongoing effort to balance safety, fairness, and inclusivity—a challenge that is sure to shape the future of competitive boxing for years to come.
