Female boxer withdraws from competition after learning she would face transgender male, just hours before a fight

Dr. Katia Bissonnette, from Saguenay, claims she was given just an hour’s notice she was being matched with transgender fighter Mya Walmsley last month.

The two had been due to face off in the 2023 Provincial Golden Glove Championship in Victoriaville, Quebec.

But Bissonnette withdrew at the last second after learning the identity of her opponent, resulting in Walmsley being declared the winner by default as they could not find anyone else to take her position in the same weight class.

‘Women shouldn’t have to bear the physical and psychological risks brought by a man’s decisions regarding his personal life and identity,’ Bissonnette told Reduxx. ‘There should be two categories: biological male and female.’

She also cited a study by the University of Utah which found that men can punch 163 per cent harder than women.

Studies on the strength of transgender women suggest that hormone blockers may reduce this biological advantage slightly.

According to Boxing Canada, a trans fighter’s identity should not be disclosed if a transition was undertaken before puberty to prevent discrimination.

Walmsley is originally from Australia her history is not known, Bissonnette said. She claims that Walmsley’s file indicates ‘zero fights as a woman’ in Canada.

For her part, Walmsley has criticized Bissonnette for publicly outing her rather than approaching her directly for a resolution.

‘This kind of behavior puts athletes at risk of being excluded or receiving personal attacks based on hearsay,’ Walmsley said in a statement.

‘I am afraid that this type of accusation could eventually be used to delegitimize athletes in the women’s category, and justify arbitrary and invasive regulations.’