USA Boxing is the premier organization that looks after the amateur/Olympic boxing scene in the United States. With roughly six months left for the Paris Olympics, they are busy short-listing the fighters to represent the country on the big stage. However, the body has been making it to the headlines for rather different reasons.

In the latest development, USA Boxing will permit individuals who were assigned male at birth but have since transitioned to womanhood to take part in events designated for cisgender women, although they will be required to adhere to stringent guidelines. Nevertheless, the policy, effective as of this year, has been receiving vehement criticism from various quarters. Several past and present boxing names have openly expressed their disappointment regarding this development. Now, personalities from other disciplines have also begun expressing their opinions on the matter. Among them is one of the greatest and most path-breaking tennis players of all time.

Martina Navratilova shares her views on the transgender athlete issue

Yesterday evening, through its X/Twitter handle, iFL TV shared that Martina Navratilova, a 49-time winner of major tennis tournaments, has reportedly characterized USA Boxing’s plan regarding transgender athletes as extremely irresponsible. The post read, “TENNIS LEGEND HITS OUT AT USA BOXING. 49-time tennis major winner Martina Navratilova has labeled USA Boxing’s decision to allow transgender athletes as “beyond irresponsible.” Do you think that USA Boxing have made the right decision?“

The 67-year-old legend, who has U.S.-Czech dual citizenship, ruled the tennis world in the 1970s and 1980s. The former world number one, who retired in 2006, took on coaching assignments later. It will not be the first time that a tennis great has expressed her thoughts on the issue. Last year, while speaking with Piers Morgan, she said, “You really can’t have it all, and sports biology matters, and it’s just not fair to have to compete against biological males no matter how long have they been doing the hormone therapy.”

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The post is still awaiting some reactions. However, the policy appears to have kicked off a storm outside.

Big voices within boxing

Former undisputed and now unified featherweight Amanda Serrano appears to be one of the first to highlight her concern. Her tweet had more to do with the WBC’s decision to not recognize her last title defense. She fought Danila Ramos on October 27. But the bout took place under the rules currently followed for men’s boxing, i.e., a twelve-round match with each round lasting 3 minutes.

However, the WBC, citing safety reasons, chose not to approve of the same, unlike other sanctioning bodies. So Amanda Serrano appeared livid. “Make it make sense! Women who were born women can’t compete against women under the same rules as men according to the WBC….BUT men can identify as a woman, transition and then fight us women?” she wrote on Twitter. Even undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields has spoken on issue.

However, USA Boxing, while sharing the details with the Daily Mail, reportedly said that their aim is to guarantee there is a sense of impartiality and equity in the treatment and creation of a safe environment for all boxers. They said, “The purpose of this policy is to provide fairness and safety for all boxers.”

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What’s your take on the matter? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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