A female fighter in MMA named Fallon Fox recently revealed that she was a transgender, and wished to continue her career, fighting as a woman. Obviously, the revelation caused a lot of controversy, and debate has raged ever since. Should a transgender woman be allowed to compete in combat sports? Are there differences between men and women that no amount of surgery can change?
The media was quick to get the thoughts of Fox’s fellow MMA competitors. However, the women of boxing could find themselves in a very similar situation should a transgender woman wish to compete with them. We asked some of the top female boxers in the sport for their thoughts on the situation, and if they would feel comfortable stepping into the ring with a woman who was previously a man. Unsurprisingly, like their MMA counterparts, their answers varied greatly.
Carina Moreno: Carrying an impressive 23-5 record, Carina is the current WBA flyweight title holder. She won the title with a big upset over Susi Kentikian in her last fight in Germany.
“I don’t know about transgender women fighting in boxing. Hormones are different in females. Men are stronger compared to females, but if they would allow it why not?”
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Ronica Jeffrey: Undefeated at 11-0, Ronica is set to compete for the interim WIBA super featherweight title in April.
“Honestly, I don’t think that they should compete against women, because at the end of the day, naturally you are a man, and its unfair for the woman to have to go against someone who is that physically stronger than them. If that’s the case, then we should have co-ed boxing, which we don’t, and that is for a reason. I have nothing against them, and if it’s that serious, then transgendered should go against transgendered.
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Mia St. John: One of the most popular fighters of all time, Mia combines the looks of a model, with the ability of a champion. At 47-12, and having been active since 1997, Mia still is competing at the highest level. In her next fight she will be looking to capture the WBA, WBO, and WBC welterweight belts.
“I think they definitely should be able to compete. With all the steroids going around in this business, what the heck does it matter?”
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Mary McGee: Mary is 20-1 and next steps in the ring in May where she will meet up with Holly Holm in a battle for the IBA light welterweight title. Follow Mary on Twitter @marymcgee2586.
“It’s not fair to put a man up against a women in any sport. Transgender or not, naturally men are stronger than women. In some cases a woman can beat the odds, but I don’t think that would be fair. I would never in my life step in the ring with a man. He, in a real fight, might hurt me real bad. If they want to do the sport, do it with men.”
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Kaliesha West: At 16-1, the popular West is the IFBA super bantamweight title holder, as well as the WBO bantamweight champ. She can be followed on Twitter @KWildWildWest
“I do not support this! I study in the medical field and have been working at a prestigious medical center for 6 years now (Loma Linda University), and its simple anatomy and physiology. Men are NATURALLY stronger than women!!!! THIS IS WRONG IN SO MANY WAYS! Men have larger hearts and lungs, and their higher levels of testosterone cause them to produce greater amounts of red blood cells. I’ve studied this already, and these statements written EVERYWHERE in anatomy articles, books, or studies only reiterate what I just stated.
“Men usually have greater upper body strength, build muscle easily, have thicker skin, bruise less easily and have a lower threshold of awareness of injuries to their extremities. Men are essentially built for physical confrontation and the use of force. Their joints are well suited for throwing objects. A man’s skull is almost always thicker and stronger than a women’s.
(http://www.oregoncounseling.
“If this Shim wants to compete, TELL HER TO JOIN THE MEN’s LEAGUE!!!! OH, and I don’t want to hear about her hormonal pills she has been taking for her gender change, ESTROGEN CAN NOT CHANGE THE SIZE OF YOUR NATURAL SKELETON.”
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Holly Lawson: Holly is the 4th ranked welterweight in the world. She currently has a record of 5-2. You can follow her on Twitter @lilbearlawson.
“I feel that if they want to allow transgendered women to compete with women, they might as well start sanctioning men and women to fight in their respective weight classes. I think regardless of the procedures which one undergoes in such a situation, genetically they are still male. With that said, I wouldn’t turn down a fight if my opponent was discovered to be transgendered. Boxing isn’t about brute strength, it’s a science and a chess match.”
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Amanda Serrano: The WIBA featherweight champion sports an impressive 17-1 record. She returns to action in April against an opponent to be named. Follow her on Twitter @RealDealSerrano.
“I truly believe that if u were born a man, you’re always going to be stronger than a woman. My choice would be no. Just because the testosterone that men have is a big factor. Just saying.”
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Maricela Cornejo: Maricela is quickly making a name for herself in the sport. The model/fighter has started her career with a 2-0 record, and next looks to be fighting on May 3 in Las Vegas.
“I am all for doing whatever makes you feel good. If you want to become a girl, then that is your decision. I don’t have a problem with it. But I don’t agree with it when it comes to fighting. If a transgender woman fights, they are going to be stronger than other women, so I don’t think it’s right. There are still advantages they are going to have from having previously been a man that no amount of drugs are going to erase.”
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Jessica Rakoczy: Jessica is 33-3, and the current WIBA super bantamweight champion. As a six-time world champion, she is one of the most accomplished boxers in the word. Additionally, she has also began competing in MMA.
“If she has all the same hormones as a “regular” woman, I would be ok with her fighting. But if not, if she has different levels of hormones and testosterone, then she shouldn’t be allowed to compete with other women. It would all depend on what the doctors and science have to say about her body and if it is comparable.”
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Layla McCarter: With a TKO victory in September, Layla became the WBA light middleweight champion. At 35-13, she has one of the more impressive resumes to be found anywhere.
“I think it’s fine. If that’s their identity, it’s ok with me. People want to keep making women out as being weak. We are not all weaker than the men. We can be just as strong and fight just as well. If you want to fight, then let’s fight. I am not afraid to get in there and fight anyone, so I don’t have any problem with transgender women competing with other women.”
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As society continues to evolve, at some point, it is likely this scenario will play out in women’s boxing. If these answers are a reflection of how it will be handled, it will make for some interesting debate.
