World Boxing Council announces plans for transgender boxing category

The World Boxing Council is asking transgender boxers to come forward and plans to introduce a transgender category next year.

Group President Mauricio Sulaiman told The Telegraph this week that it's time for boxing to address issues of "safety and inclusion."

"We are going to put out a global call for those who are interested in 2023, and we will set up the protocols, start consultation and most likely create a league and a tournament," Sulaiman said.

Sulaiman also said he and other council members are looking to "enhance" boxing "as well as to protect the health and well-being of all boxers – above any interest."

However, it's unclear what the guideline would be for qualifying to compete in such a category, considering Sulaiman also said, "In boxing, a man fighting a woman must never be accepted regardless of gender change."

He also said: "Woman to man or man to woman transgender change will never be allowed to fight a different gender by birth."