World Boxing has announced a new eligibility policy that will require all athletes competing in its events to undergo mandatory sex testing to determine eligibility for male and female categories. The policy, which comes into effect on 20 August 2025, is intended to safeguard athlete safety and uphold fairness in competition.

The new rules mean that all boxers over the age of 18 must undergo a once-in-a-lifetime genetic screening test, known as a PCR or a functional medical equivalent, to determine their sex at birth. The process identifies the presence or absence of the Y chromosome, which serves as an indicator of biological sex. Results will be used to decide eligibility to compete in the male or female category.

World Boxing has confirmed that the regulations will be applied first in the female category at the upcoming World Championships in Liverpool, scheduled from 4 to 14 September 2025. Athletes entering the women’s events will need to provide certification from their National Federations confirming their chromosomal sex. Failure to do so, or the submission of false documents, will make athletes ineligible and may trigger sanctions for both athletes and federations. Testing will be extended to the men’s category from January 2026.

A policy rooted in fair play

The move has been described by World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst as a necessary step to preserve both safety and integrity in a combat sport. He stressed that while inclusivity remains important, boxing carries unique risks that demand strict measures to ensure fair competition.

The policy was drafted by the Medical and Anti-Doping Committee of World Boxing following nearly a year of consultation with medical, legal, and sporting experts. Where cases reveal the presence of Y chromosome material in athletes competing in the female category, further examinations will be referred to an expert medical panel for additional screening and evaluation. An appeals process will also be available to protect athletes’ rights.

This development echoes the stricter approach now being set at the highest levels of sport. Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected President of the International Olympic Committee, has already signaled her determination to enforce rigorous standards of eligibility, including sensitive issues such as sex testing. Coventry’s stance is seen by many as an effort to preserve trust in international sport and address the controversies surrounding eligibility and fairness.

Controversial topics still remain

While the policy defines categories strictly by sex at birth, it also indirectly raises questions about athletes who do not identify as male or female. Though not explicitly addressed in the regulations, this group remains caught in an uncertain space between the drive for safety and the growing global conversation about inclusivity in sport.

World Boxing’s decision highlights a broader debate within the Olympic movement. Passport checks, which were mandatory at Paris 2024, are not part of the new regulations, leaving critics to argue that verification could be further strengthened. By prioritising sex-based testing, World Boxing is stepping into a complex and controversial debate that continues to evolve in global sport.

Founded in April 2023 with the mission to keep boxing at the core of the Olympic movement, World Boxing received provisional recognition from the IOC in February 2025. The Liverpool Championships will be the first major event to enforce the new policy, marking a turning point for the sport as it grapples with the balance between inclusion, fairness, and safety.