World Boxing Institutes Gender Testing Ahead of September Championships

LOS ANGELES — World Boxing, the governing body for Olympic-style boxing, has officially confirmed that gender testing will be required for all athletes competing in the women’s division at its upcoming World Championships in Liverpool, England, this September.

The policy introduces a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or equivalent genetic test to identify the presence or absence of Y chromosome material, which the organization says provides a clear and consistent standard for determining biological gender.

While the move has sparked debate, World Boxing president Boris Van Der Vorst emphasized that the decision is rooted in protecting both the integrity of the sport and the safety of its athletes.

“World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and strives to be as inclusive as possible,” Van Der Vorst said. “But in a combat sport like boxing, our duty of care demands we ensure fairness and competitive safety for everyone involved.”

Safeguarding the Ring

The organization stressed that the rule is not about exclusion, but about ensuring that women competing in one of the most physically demanding sports in the world are protected. The governing body outlined that fighters with Differences in Sexual Development (DSD), in which male androgenization has occurred, will be directed to the men’s division. However, athletes who carry Y chromosome material but wish to box in the women’s category will be given extensive medical evaluations — including hormonal and anatomical reviews by specialists — as well as the opportunity to appeal.

This step marks a return to chromosome-based testing in global sport, echoing moves already seen in track and field under World Athletics, which began requiring one-time genetic tests for women’s competitors earlier this year.

Background and Controversy

The conversation around eligibility intensified following the experiences of Olympic champions Imane Khelif (Algeria) and Lin Yu-ting (Taiwan), who both excelled in Paris but faced widespread public scrutiny about their gender. Khelif, who has competed in women’s boxing for nearly a decade, declined to fight in a June tournament after World Boxing first revealed its testing plans. Van Der Vorst later issued a public apology for naming her directly when discussing future policy.

Chromosome testing was a standard in Olympic sports until the 1990s, when it was largely abandoned in favor of hormone testing due to ambiguities in DSD cases. But with combat sports carrying unique safety concerns, World Boxing says a return to more defined testing is necessary.

A Step Toward Clarity and Protection

The ruling also represents a pivotal moment for World Boxing itself, which was formed two years ago after a split from the scandal-plagued International Boxing Association. Provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee, World Boxing is tasked with overseeing the next Olympic qualification cycle leading into the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

By establishing clearer gender policies now, the organization hopes to stabilize rules long before athletes enter that Olympic pathway.

🗣️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

This is a sensitive subject, but it’s important to see the bigger picture: World Boxing’s new gender testing policy is ultimately about athlete protection and preserving the authenticity of women’s boxing.

Boxing is a combat sport where physical differences can lead to serious risks, and governing bodies have a responsibility to create fair, safe competition. While no system is perfect, offering a structured testing and appeals process ensures athletes are treated with dignity while protecting fighters inside the ropes.

At its core, this isn’t about exclusion — it’s about ensuring women who step into the ring know they’re competing on a fair and safe playing field. That’s good for the athletes, and it’s good for the sport.