Medical and Sporting Considerations for Female Boxers
By Dr Zehra Gozen, Senior Female Competitive Boxer, Level 1 Coach, and GP Trainee
I am a senior competitive female boxer with 25 amateur bouts since 2021 and who has represented England. My journey into combat sports began during medical school in Turkey, where I started kickboxing as a way to prevent burnout from intense studies and increase fitness level. Over seven years, I competed in professional kickboxing and MMA before moving to the UK, where I transitioned into boxing.
I began my boxing career at Brookside Boxing Club in Borehamwood, before moving to Eastbourne Boxing Club (2021–2024), where I had the most productive years of my career. With Eastbourne I progressed to the Elite Nationals and represented England in international competitions in France, Sweden, and Italy. The club’s support was pivotal in my development, and I remain deeply grateful. More recently, due to relocating for my GP specialty training, I have moved to Cornwall, where I continue to box, although the opportunities for sparring and competition are far slimmer for both men and women compared to larger boxing hubs. Alongside my sporting career, I work full-time as a doctor, currently a GPST2 in Cornwall. Balancing medicine and boxing has given me a unique perspective on the physical, psychological, and social challenges faced by female athletes in this male-dominated sport.
Women’s boxing has come a long way. From being dismissed as “not for women,” the sport has grown to produce global icons such as Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and Claressa Shields, whose achievements have elevated female boxing to headline status. The inclusion of women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympics, with pioneers like Nicola Adams and Katie Taylor winning gold, marked a turning point. Today, we are even seeing full all-female cards, with athletes like Natasha Jonas, Lauren Price, Kariss Artingstall, and Caroline Dubois headlining events—a huge step forward for visibility and equality in the sport.
Validation, Equality, and Respect
In boxing gyms, women often feel the need to constantly prove themselves in environments historically dominated by men. Although camaraderie and equality exist in many clubs, societal preconceptions persist. Female boxers face judgments, stereotypes, and at times intimidation, which can affect confidence and participation. Respect must be earned not only through performance but also through breaking down outdated views of what women “should” or “should not” do.
Opportunities and Representation
Female boxers continue to face fewer opportunities for sparring, bouts, and competitive events. Many recall struggling to find opponents, particularly at grassroots and professional levels, leading to slower career progression compared to their male counterparts. Encouragingly, initiatives such as England Boxing’s Women’s Aspire programme and This Girl Can Box technical development days have helped to close this gap. These dedicated female sparring and training events provide athletes with more opportunities to develop, gain confidence, and network with other women in the sport. By offering structured platforms tailored to women, these initiatives are gradually overcoming the long-standing discrepancies in female boxing.
Training, Physiology, and Safety
Research into female-specific training, nutrition, and injury prevention is still limited compared to male athletes. One clear gap is the lack of data on female knockouts and concussion risks. This has directly shaped competition rules: in senior amateur events, including the Olympic Games, female boxers must wear headguards, while men have competed without them since 2016. Governing bodies such as England Boxing and the International Boxing Association (AIBA) uphold this rule because of insufficient research into female head trauma.
Menstrual cycles also play a significant role in training capacity and recovery. Tracking cycles helps athletes adapt: the follicular phase supports high-intensity work, the luteal phase benefits from lighter sessions, and the menstrual phase often requires prioritising rest and recovery. Nutritional adjustments—such as maintaining iron, calcium, and potassium intake—support performance and reduce risks of amenorrhea (cessation of periods) from low body fat.
Female Coaches: Breaking Barriers
As a Level 1 coach myself, I have experienced the challenges female coaches face in gaining recognition and authority in boxing gyms. Although progress is being made, female coaches remain underrepresented. Trailblazers such as Ann Wolfe (former world champion turned elite trainer working with James Kirkland), Christy Halbert, Kay Koroma (USA Boxing coach), and Gloria Thornton-Peak have paved the way. Their work shows the importance of diversity in coaching, where understanding, empathy, and tailored training approaches are crucial for female athletes.
Conclusion
Female boxing has made remarkable progress, from Olympic inclusion to all-female headline events. Yet, disparities in opportunity, research, and representation remain. Continued efforts to foster inclusive environments, expand research on female physiology and safety, and elevate female coaches are essential. With respect, tailored support, and equality of opportunity, women will continue driving the sport forward and inspire the next generation of boxers.
On a personal level, I aspire to continue developing both inside and outside the ring—pursuing further training in Sports Medicine as a GP, while also striving to level up in my boxing career. By combining medical expertise with lived sporting experience, I hope to contribute to the advancement of female boxing and support athletes in reaching their full potential.