“If You Was Born Man….”: Hours After Cataract Surgery, Errol Spence Jr. Opens Up on USA Boxing’s Transgender Policy

USA Boxing, the premier national governing body for the sport, introduced a transgender athletes policy marked by its stringent requirements, detailed in the August 2022 guidelines released alongside the 2024 rulebook. To compete, trans athletes must undergo gender reassignment surgery and adhere to rigorous hormone testing.

This policy is considered to be one of the most stringent in sports. However, criticism has emerged. Even Errol Spence Jr. went against it recently.

Errol Spence Jr. speaks against new transgender policy

For transgender men aged 18 and above, the new USA Boxing policy mandates gender reassignment surgery. Additionally, they must undergo quarterly hormone tests for four years post-surgery. To be eligible for competition, they need to demonstrate that their testosterone level has consistently remained above 10 nanomoles per liter. That too, for at least four years preceding their foray into any competition and throughout their desired eligibility period.

While the effective date of the policy was not immediately clear, USA Boxing has not responded to requests for comment. Still, despite all the strict rules, Errol Spence Jr doesn’t think that a person who’s born a man should be allowed to fight against a woman. He made a post on X, and wrote, “Oh yea if you was born a man you shouldn’t be allowed to fight women.”

Well, it’s not only Errol Spence Jr., even the female boxing champions have raised concerns for their safety because of this policy. They’ve voiced their opinions about the policy on social media.

A lot of fighters are skeptical about this new rule

USA Boxing’s policies on transgender female fighters have sparked controversy and condemnation from prominent figures in the sport. Ebanie Bridges and Amanda Serrano, both boxing champions, expressed strong disapproval. Bridges, who has been vocal about her views on facing a trans woman in the ring, particularly condemned USA Boxing’s decision.

Bridges uploaded a post on X where she wrote, “I will never agree to this… it’s bad enough having trans women breaking records in other sports like track and field, swimming and power lifting but it’s a bit different to them breaking our skulls in combat sports where the aim is to HURT YOU not just break a record…” Moreover, Amanda Serrano also posted on X where she stated that the women aren’t even allowed to fight by men’s rules, however, men are allowed to enter the women’s sport. She wrote, “make it make sense!”

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Even 2x undisputed champion Claressa Shields joined her fellow boxing champions, as she also wrote, “this is idk……. Not the right decision.” So it’s not just Spence Jr. fighting alone. A lot of fighters are speaking against this new policy that allows the inclusion of the transgenders. What are your thoughts about this? Tell us in the comments section.

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