French boxer Maho Bah-Villemagne makes history as first licensed transgender fighter
French boxing star Maho Bah-Villemagne, who has transitioned from female to male, has opened up on their experience of life in the sport, reports BritPanorama.
The 31-year-old became the first transgender fighter in France to receive a boxing license from the French Boxing Federation and made a return to the ring on Saturday at the Open Boxing 2025 event in Marseille.
In a recent interview with Le Monde, Bah-Villemagne discussed the unique challenges they have faced, highlighting instances where opponents declined to fight upon learning of their background. “Last year, several boxers turned down the fight when they learned I was born in a female body,” they stated.
Despite some resistance, Bah-Villemagne noted that their upcoming bout was against Ryan Matache, a strong competitor who accepted the challenge. “Interestingly, trans athletes are quite invisible. Not many people are concerned that I was born female and can get punched by men [laughs],” Bah-Villemagne added.
Bah-Villemagne’s situation is particularly significant in a climate where several governing bodies have increasingly restricted transgender athletes from competing. They expressed that there is a “clear intent to control women’s bodies,” suggesting that current developments are regressive.
“Compared to what transgender women athletes are experiencing – with some international federations recently imposing SRY tests to determine sex at birth and eligibility to compete – my story is almost a fairy tale,” they remarked.
In addressing the governance of such issues, Bah-Villemagne opined that the National Olympic Committee should take greater responsibility. “The National Olympic Committee shifts responsibility onto the international federations, but it should take up the issue since it links all the sports disciplines,” the boxer asserted.
Bah-Villemagne is acutely aware of the changing landscape in women’s sports globally, noting the variations in hormone levels among athletes from different regions. “The goal is not to put anyone at risk, especially in strength or contact sports, but we have to take these developments into account and recalibrate everything through scientific and social research,” they said.
A pivotal moment in Bah-Villemagne’s journey to boxing occurred when they experienced a violent assault in Nice at the age of 20. Reflecting on the incident, they noted, “During that incident, I wanted to defend us physically, but I didn’t know how to fight. Learning to box became an obsession, then a passion that saved me.”
Bah-Villemagne, who underwent hormone therapy and a mastectomy in 2023, officially transitioned and secured an amateur men’s boxing license in April 2024. Their journey illustrates a complex path through personal identity and professional sport that continues to evolve as societal norms shift.
In the ring and beyond, Bah-Villemagne’s story encapsulates the broader dialogue around inclusivity and representation in sports, reflecting the deep-seated challenges and transformations faced by athletes navigating their own identities.
