Boxer barred from World Championships over sex test error

Boxer banned hours before competition

George Francis, eighteen, was told hours before the draw at the Under-nineteen World Championships in Budva, Montenegro last month that he could not compete in the sixty kilogramme category.

Administrative oversight by England Boxing

England Boxing forgot to organise a mandatory sex verification test for Francis. The governing body said there were no qualified doctors in Budva to conduct the blood sample in time.

“Everyone else was able to provide a blood sample, but they just forgot me.”

World Boxing's mandatory testing rules

World Boxing introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for female competitors aged eighteen and above last year to ensure safety and fair competition. In January, the rules were extended to include male boxers.

Francis's emotional response

Francis said he was left broken by the news. He had trained non-stop for what he called his dream of representing England in his first World Championships.

“I was just broken. They were speaking to me and I couldn't even really hear.”

No direct contact from England Boxing

Francis says England Boxing has not contacted him directly since the incident, though his father was reached by the organisation. He has now missed the chance to qualify for the Olympics.

“I haven't had one phone call or message from them. I've just been forgotten about.”

England Boxing acknowledges error and commits to change

England Boxing acknowledged the administrative oversight and said it is committed to learning from the experience and strengthening processes to prevent recurrence. Francis is planning to turn professional.