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2024-11-01 18:27:00
The news was announced last week during a press conference organized in a gym in the northern districts of Marseille: Maho Bah-Villemagne will enter the ring against Evan Ferrandi (18 years old, 5 wins out of 6) this Saturday 2 November for a fight amateur between men. On paper the match seems trivial. Two boxers in the -54 kg category will face each other in a sports complex in the Mediterranean metropolis, in front of a maximum of a few hundred spectators. But for the 30-year-old boxer, assigned female at birth, the fight is his first victory in competing with his chosen gender identity.
After 27 English amateur boxing matches between women (12 wins, 15 defeats) and a status as vice-champion of France in -52kg in 2022, Maho Bah-Villemagne will become the first French transgender boxer to officially fight between men. Since the announcement of the event, requests have been pouring in. “I have a very busy week, between training and requests from journalists. I need to take a break from all this,” he says first via text message when asked. The day before the fight, the boxer finally spoke about the weight of the event: “I feel a lot of pressure, I know they are waiting for me and depending on my result, it could change a lot of things for us, trans people.”
“We will come out”
After long months of preparation and canceled fights, some of which were due, according to him, to “media pressure” heard by his opponents, the boxer is finally ready to put on the gloves. “There is a story of masculinity that men portray in boxing and it is very strong. Evan Ferrandi is very courageous in accepting this challenge, many would not have done so. notes Maho Bah-Villemagne. If this match attracts so much attention, according to the boxer, it must only be because it represents him “the beginning of a new era”. “The world is not so binary: like it or not, trans and non-binary people exist. We hid for a long time, but now we will come out and have to take a place in society.” he states.
“I didn’t feel like a woman, but it took me a long time to make the transition because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to box anymore. I knew there was no legislation and that trans people didn’t exist in sport. I didn’t have my place, I had to create it and I didn’t think I was capable of it. recalls the athlete, who began his medical transition in the summer of 2023. Before him, no trans boxer had come forward in the French Boxing Federation; he therefore finds himself in legal limbo. In this period he has already experienced the distance from sport as a “pain”. The Varois therefore thinks only of one thing, once his sex change is made official at the registry office in February 2024: returning to the ring.
“It’s not clear yet”
The founder of the Massilia boxing collective from Marseille launches an appeal to the members of the federation. Faced with their silence, he decides to contact a lawyer and publicize his case to try to obtain a first professional boxing license, which would allow him to earn a living with his sport. “I didn’t have any refusals, but I was the first, so we had to define some rules, this is the thing that took the longest” the boxer notes.
the federation’s decision came quicker than expected. Given his track record, he can apply for a professional license if he competes in five additional fights and undergoes regular medical tests to monitor his testosterone levels. In the meantime the federation issues him a new amateur license. Rules urgently created for the athlete. “It is not yet clear. For example, I am asked for medical visits, but there is no reference hormone level. regrets Maho Bah-Villemagne.
“Maho’s case will set a precedent”
One of the members of the medical commission of the federation was also surprised by the team that his license is issued so quickly, while safety is essential in combat sports and there is still a lack of studies to evaluate the risks of pitting a person born as a woman against a man. “The federations are powerless in the face of the absence of clear regulation and harmonization on the inclusion of transgender people, but Maho’s case will set a precedent at the level of the French Boxing Federation and perhaps other disciplines that ‘bring together’ , observes Frédérique Vidal, co-president of the Fier-play association, which organized the Pride House during the last Paris Olympics. When questioned, the French Boxing Federation did not respond to our requests.
However, the boxer’s battle is far from over. Maho Bah-Villemagne wants to make her voice heard within the federation so that it is there “really clear rules for trans people who would like to sign up for boxing” In France. However, he risks being asked the same questions throughout the rest of his career. If he manages to turn professional, the man who is now an IT lieutenant in the Air Force will have to face the new regulations, this time, of the international professional leagues (the best known are the WBA, the IBF and the WBO). Unlike at a national level, there is at least one precedent: the American Patricio Manuel, the first transgender boxer to win a professional match in 2018.
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, Maho Bah-Villemagne, the first French transgender boxer to compete officially in a men’s category. Maho, thank you for joining us today!
Maho Bah-Villemagne: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: You’re preparing for a significant fight this Saturday, November 2nd, against Evan Ferrandi. How are you feeling as the date approaches?
Maho: There’s a mix of emotions—excitement, nerves, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. I know that this fight is more than just a match; it could be a turning point for many in the transgender community.
Interviewer: You’ve had an impressive background in women’s boxing, being a vice-champion of France in 2022. What motivated your transition to competing against men?
Maho: I’ve always felt a disconnect with the gender I was assigned at birth. Boxing has been my passion, and transitioning is about being true to myself. I spent years debating on whether I could continue in the sport after transitioning, but I realized I had to create my own place in this world—not just for me, but for others like me.
Interviewer: That takes incredible courage. You mentioned media pressure on your opponents and the significance of this match. Can you elaborate on that?
Maho: Absolutely. There’s a historic weight attached to this fight. It’s not just about competing; it’s about representation. Evan, my opponent, is brave for accepting this challenge. Many in the sporting world have been hesitant or resistant to the inclusion of transgender athletes.
Interviewer: How has the response been from the boxing community and the public leading up to this fight?
Maho: The support has been heartening. Requests for interviews have poured in, and I’ve been getting messages from trans individuals and allies expressing their excitement. At the same time, I feel the pressure; my performance could have broader implications for how trans athletes are perceived and treated in sports.
Interviewer: Transitioning in sports often comes with challenges, especially regarding regulations. Can you tell us about your experience navigating the legal and regulatory landscape?
Maho: It has been complex. When I began my medical transition in Summer 2023, there were no clear rules for transgender athletes in boxing within France’s federation. I had to push for recognition and clarity, which meant reaching out to lawyers and advocating for my right to compete. I’ve been lucky in that the federation has issued new rules that allowed me to apply for an amateur license, but there’s still much to address.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that you’ve faced a sort of ‘legal limbo’. What are some of your concerns moving forward with your career in boxing as regulations continue to evolve?
Maho: My main concern is the lack of clear medical guidelines—like what the acceptable testosterone levels are for competition. Until there’s a standard, it feels precarious. I want to ensure that every athlete, including myself, is able to compete fairly and safely.
Interviewer: Do you believe your case will set a precedent for others in your position?
Maho: I hope so. There’s a growing conversation about inclusivity in sports. If my fight can pave the way for more transgender athletes, then I will see it as a success, irrespective of the match’s outcome.
Interviewer: That’s an inspiring perspective, Maho. Before we wrap up, what is your message to fellow transgender athletes or anyone struggling with their identity?
Maho: Be true to yourself. It might seem daunting, but every step you take towards authenticity is a step toward liberation. Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your passions. Your voice and presence matter—both in and out of the ring.
Interviewer: Thank you, Maho, for sharing your journey and insights. We wish you the best of luck this Saturday and in your continued journey as an athlete.
Maho: Thank you! I appreciate the support and dialogue.