Trans Boxer Makes History Again

American boxer Patricio Manuel has achieved his fair share of milestones in his four-and-a-half years competing against men. His professional boxing career began around 2012, and he was a frontrunner for the women’s Olympic team in that year. He unfortunately had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury, and following that, underwent transitional surgery. Manuel underwent top surgery in 2014, and in 2018, he was back on track with a professional debut.

Manuel’s first official fight was on December 8, 2018, where he won against Hugo Aguilar. Manuel’s public transition has caused some controversy in the American boxing fanbase, but overall, support from fellow boxers has been positive. As a major inspiration to the queer community, Manuel has also been a coach to young boxers at an LGBTQ center starting back in 2014. Patricio Manuel is America’s first trans male professional boxer, a historical achievement of a distinction. Manuel has recently made more history by not only winning his third consecutive fight against a cisgender opponent, but also by being the first trans male to crack the top 100 boxers in the U.S., being currently ranked at #99. He is also ranked at #782 internationally. The super featherweight has also been spotlighted in Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects, a trans history project, where a pair of his gloves were displayed.

Though his three victories are incredible in the context of the progress of trans rights in sports, Manuel has experienced some difficulties in his career as well. The World Boxing Council proposed a trans category for boxers in December 2022, which would directly affect Manuel’s career. This proposal would prohibit trans men from competing against cis men. Trans women would also only be able to compete against other trans women. Before Manuel’s two 2023 fights, he made sure to voice his opinion on the matter, stating on Instagram that the proposal was a “disappointment” and that “This rhetoric flies in the face of both existing policies at the highest level of governing bodies in the world and my own lived experience.” This proposal is, of course, not currently in action, as Manuel has been able to compete against cisgender boxers, but 2023 in general has been the year stated for the proposal to take effect.

Patricio Manuel is currently signed with Oscar de la Hoya and his most recent win was against fellow American boxer Alexander Gutierrez. Manuel’s next fight is TBA, but we at OFM will be rooting for him and are excited for the progression of his career.

Photo courtesy of Patricio Manuel’s GoFundMe