World Boxing will introduce mandatory sex testing in order to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes that want to take part in its competitions. The introduction of mandatory testing will be part of a new policy on “Sex, Age and Weight” to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women. The policy is in the final stages of development and has been crafted by a specially convened Working Group of the World Boxing Medical and Anti-Doping Committee, which has examined data and medical evidence from an extensive range of sources and consulted widely with other sports and experts across the world. In light of plans to introduce this policy and the particular circumstances surrounding some boxers that competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform it that Imane Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes sex testing.

 

This decision reflects concerns over the safety and wellbeing of all boxers, including Khelif, and aims to protect the mental and physical health of all participants in light of some of the reactions that have been expressed in relation to the boxer’s potential participation at the Eindhoven Box Cup. The letter sent by World Boxing to the Algerian Boxing Federation on May 30, 2025, states:

 

“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures.

 

“In accordance with the World Boxing Statutes, amendments to the Competition Rules are typically made by Congress. However, under special or emergency circumstances, the World Boxing Executive Board holds the authority to make immediate amendments when a rule is deemed no longer functional or when evolving conditions necessitate a change. In May 2025, the Executive Board exercised this authority and adopted new eligibility criteria for participation in sex-specific boxing categories. These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing. Please be advised that, per World Boxing policy, “…in the event the athlete’s sex certification is challenged by the athlete’s federation or by World Boxing, the athlete shall be ineligible to compete until the dispute is resolved…”

 

This decision is designed solely to ensure the health and safety of all participants in World Boxing competitions (including Imane Khelif) and is not deemed to in any way prejudge the outcome of any testing that will be introduced as part of the new policy on “Sex, Age and Weight”.

 

World Boxing’s new policy and the introduction of testing will mean that all athletes over the age of 18 that want to participate in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned competition will need to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete.

 

The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, that reveals the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex. The test can be conducted by nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood.

 

Athletes that are deemed to be male at birth, as evidenced by the presence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenization occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category. Athletes that are deemed to be female at birth, as evidenced by the presence of XX chromosomes or the absence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a DSD where male androgenization does not occur, will be eligible to compete in the female category.

 

World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and its overriding priority is to ensure safety and competitive fairness to all athletes. To do this, it is essential that strict categories, determined by sex are maintained and enforced, and means that World Boxing will only operate competitions for athletes categorized as male or female.

 

Under the new policy, National Federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by providing a certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test. A failure to provide certification of the chromosomal sex of an athlete or the provision of a false certification, will render the athlete ineligible to compete and may lead to sanctions against the athlete and/or the athlete’s National Federation.

 

Where test results for boxers that want to compete in the female category reveal Y chromosome genetic material and a potential DSD, the initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical specialists for genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination or other valuation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists. As part of its new policy World Boxing will reserve the right to do genetic sex screening on new or existing athlete samples to confirm certification. The policy will include an appeals process. Support will be offered to any boxers that provide an adverse test result. The new “Sex, Age and Weight” policy will come into force from July 1, 2025.

 

World Boxing was launched in April 2023 with a mission to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement. It held its first formal meeting with the IOC in May 2024 and on February 25, 2025, it was granted provisional recognition by the IOC as the International Federation (IF) within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level. On March 20, 2025, the IOC confirmed that boxing has been restored to the sport program for the 2028 Games.

 

SAME-DAY RESPONSE FROM WORLD BOXING'S RIVAL SANCTIONING ORGANIZATION, THE IBA:  "The International Boxing Association (IBA) has been advocating for equality for many years and is pleased to see that the only right approach regarding the subject heading has been adopted by other boxing bodies. Following the gender row issue at Paris 2024 and huge resonance and impact it had on the sport of boxing, the united response from all boxing bodies was absolutely necessary; we welcome the most recent statements to embrace the eligibility processes IBA has already established and urge all boxing bodies to join the intention to make our sport fair.

‘We wholeheartedly welcome those proactive steps that align with IBA’s longstanding framework, especially regarding the rigorous sex testing protocols that have been a cornerstone of our practices for the past 3 years,’ said IBA Secretary General & CEO, Mr. Chris Roberts OBE. ‘By upholding these measures, we not only fortify the safety and welfare of our athletes but also ensure a level playing field where every competitor has an equal opportunity to excel without being unlawfully deprived. The commitment to continual improvement in testing standards underscores our shared vision for an inclusive and transparent boxing environment.’

Mr. Roberts OBE stressed that IBA cares about all boxers in the first instance and wishes that the highest standards of integrity are maintained wherever our boxers are competing.

‘In tandem with sex testing, we are encouraged by the announcement of comprehensive age and weight testing protocols; surprisingly over the past few years, we have seen boxers from certain countries who have indeed attempted to falsify age and passport credentials. These measures, again already aligned to IBA, promise to further reinforce fair competition for all athletes with standardized benchmarks. We look forward to this collaborative approach, knowing that this will undoubtedly benefit our National Federations and the boxers they represent,’ Mr. Roberts continued.

Regarding the contentious issues that emerged during the Paris 2024 Olympics, the IBA remains unwavering in its decisions. We stand firmly by our assessments and intentions. Notably, as World Boxing is set to receive identical results from these evaluations, we anticipate a forthcoming gesture of accountability – a formal apology from those athletes whose actions, inadvertently or otherwise, diverted well-deserved Olympic accolades away from our rightful female boxers.

Over the nearly three years of painstaking experience and insight in navigating these complex issues, IBA’s governance and commitment to integrity have only strengthened. We continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our athletes, championing decisions that uphold fairness, respect, and the true spirit of competitive sports.

‘Our endorsement of collaborative initiatives reflects our deep-rooted commitment to enhancing athlete safety and competitive integrity. Through meticulous testing protocols, we are working to create an environment where fairness prevails, and every participant is respected. Equally, our firm stance on decisions arising from the Paris Olympics is a testament to our dedication to safeguarding the legacy of our female boxers. Together, these endeavours not only enhance our shared mission of transparency and fairness but also pave the way for the continued evolution and excellence of the sport,’ Roberts concluded.

IBA encourages further reaction from international boxing governing bodies in alignment with eligibility rules to make boxing the pioneer sport in securing highest integrity standards for athletes in terms of gender eligibility."

 

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PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE:   Khelif of Algeria beat Yang Liu of the People’s Republic of China to win gold in women’s welterweight division at Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Friday at Stade Roland-Garros. Khelif was one of two boxers embroiled in a controversy about her gender. She previously competed at Tokyo 2021, where she became the first female boxer to represent Algeria at the Olympics. Since then, the 25-year-old Khelif has won gold medals at the 2022 Mediterranean Games and the 2023 Arab Games. She won the Paris 2024 final in dominant fashion by a final tally of 5-0.

 

"I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist," Khelif said. "I’ve worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I’m Olympic champion."