World boxing abandoned his government of a bomb with an immediate effect, which will end the hopes of Imane Khelif to compete as a woman under her banner, when the novel federation moves to enforce strict testing of sexual eligibility in all sport.

From August 20, 2025, all boxers will have to prove their biological sex at the time of birth via PCR or an equivalent genetic examination before they are removed. This move is followed by months of scorching debate on gender qualifications in boxing and appears a few weeks before the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool.

This means that every warrior aimed at entering ten women in Liverpool women will be required to present a chromosomal certificate once in their lives. Those who fail or refuse will be banned.

A novel policy of security and integrity in the world

World Boxing has confirmed that the process will exploit PCR screening to detect the SRY gene, whose presence identifies male chromosomal material. Athletes identified as men after birth or blows with a difference in sexual development (DSD) including male androgenization, will be circumscribed to the category of men.

The athletes confirmed the woman after birth, with XX chromosomes or without the SRY gene, will be removed for the women’s category.

In miniature: a man at birth = division of men. A woman at birth = division of women, and people with a mixture, such as the Olympic gold medalist IMane Khelif, will have to compete as men.

The president of the world Boxing Boris van der Vorst defended the sentence, emphasizing that it was about safety and honesty in threatening combat sport:

“World boxing respects the dignity of all people and wants to ensure that it is possible as possible, but in boxing sport, such as boxing, we are obliged to ensure safety and competitive honesty.

“It was a long and detailed process, but we had to examine all medical, legal and sports problems. I am convinced that this novel policy will ensure sports integrity and protect all participants.

“We recognize that the problems related to boxing qualifying are more pronounced in women’s events. That is why we decided to implement politics in the women’s category.”

World Boxing has published its novel sexual eligibility policy and confirmed that mandatory sexual tests will apply in the women’s category in the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025.

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– World Boxing (@realworldboxing) August 20, 2025

Implications for imane Khelif and women’s boxing

National federations will now have to certify athletes’ sex before registration. Any lack of testing or attempts at false certification will bring automatic disqualifications and potential sanctions.

Where they are unclear, cases will be directed to a specialized medical panel for deeper analysis, including genetic, hormonal and anatomical tests.

The body recognized by IOC confirmed that the tests will be expanded to divide men from January 1, 2026.

This means the most decisive intervention in the battle for eligibility, and world boxing draws a clear line: without ambiguity, without gaps. The principle ensures that Khelif, which caused world headlines at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, will be formally excluded from competing in women’s boxing under world boxing.

Khelif has DSD, despite the birth of a woman. IBA, who previously ruled the amateur side of sport, confirmed the presence of XY chromosomes in a test sample from Khelif.

The decision is to dominate the first pages of newspapers, when the countdown to Liverpool begins, in which Khelif decided not to compete.

A breakthrough decision of world boxing can transform the future of Olympic and professional boxing in one stroke, because Khelif will also have similar procedures if it enters paid ranks due to its volume.

About the author

Phil Jay is an experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. How The editor -in -chief of World Boxing News since 2010Jay has An interview with dozens of world champions was conducted AND Ring reported On the largest boxing nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] And find out more about his work in combat sports journalism.