A female boxer withdrew from a championship in Quebec, Canada, after learning she was set to fight a trans-identified male.
Katia Bissonnette says she learned her opponent was a biological man just one hour before she was set to step into the ring.
Katia Bissonnette says she does not blame Boxing Quebec or her opponent, whom she has not met. She is ready to continue her career and will participate in a tournament at the end of the month in Rimouski.
Although the WBC (World Boxing Council) made a statement claiming new categories would be introduced for trans-identifying fighters, Boxing Canada seems to have flipped them the bird.
Katia Bissonnette opted out of fighting Mya Walmsley, who is biologically male, once she learned of Walmsley’s biological sex an hour prior to the 2023 Provincial Golden Glove Championship last month, according to Reduxx.
“My coach suddenly took me aside and told me he received information by text message, which he had then validated, that my opponent was not a woman by birth,” Bissonnette reportedly explained.
Walmsley won the match by default since officials were unable to find another boxer in the same weight class.
Bissonnette, who is from Saguenay, pointed to a 2020 study on strength by the University of Utah when explaining her decision to opt out.
“It’s as if they’re trying to sell it to me as if it’s completely normal, but for now… there’s a big gray area in there. In boxing, we hit each other. If there are risks for a female boxer, I lack information to make an informed decision,” explains Denis Gravel, the coach of the Chicoutimi Boxing Club.
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