“Behind the gloves, I became masculinized”, Maho, the first transgender boxer in Europe, will finally fight man against man

He was born a woman 30 years ago, but never really believed in it. After her gender transition, Maho, a former women’s boxing champion, was granted the opportunity to fight among the men by the Federation. He will wear the LGBTQIA+ colors proudly during his first duel, Saturday November 2, in Marseille.

Maho Bah-Villemagne already has a long career in professional boxing. To his credit, around thirty national and international fights. As a woman. For the first time, he will be recognized as a male boxer. In May and June 2024, he should have already taken this step, but each time these adversaries backed down.

This Saturday, November 2, 2024, on the occasion of the Open Boxing, Maho will perform in the legendary Vallier hall in Marseille, alongside the cream of local boxers. Headlining a gala that attracts the cameras. Because Maho’s fight Bah-Villemagnebecame the first transgender boxer licensed in Europe, marks a turning point in the history of its sport.

Maho Bah-Villemagne participates in the Marseille Open Boxing

Her first name was Margaux. For a long time, she hid. Makes a round back. No waves in this world of testosterone where virility is elevated to the rank of cardinal value. Very early on, the young boxer “felt a man; an irrepressible feeling, which cannot be explained” describes Maho. “It’s not a choice, It happens to us without us wanting it.” But there is no question of revealing it, even less of considering the transition. “I was too scared to have to stop competing.”. Boxing is his all-consuming passion, his lifelong inspiration.

All my life I wanted to stay in the closet, hide

Maho Bah-Villemagne, transgender boxer

Maho, in 2019

In his native Var, Maho Bah-Villemagne didn’t discover boxing by chance. Between a groomer mother, a Guinean marabout father, and his many girlfriends”but not really boyfriends“, he confides that he has always been”a little angry at the injustices.”

And then there was this attack when leaving a nightclub in Nice around his twenties. Because of his sexual orientation. “I realized that I didn’t know how to fight.”. Neither one nor two, the young girl enters a boxing gym. She, then he, never really came out of it.

Boxing was love at first sight, the love of my life

Maho Bah-Vilemagne, trans boxer

So for 10 years, Maho Bah-Villemagne boxing, and boxing again. Like in a Claude Nougaro song. The ring becomes his home and the Refuge his family, this small room in the heart of the Panier district which houses the Collectif Boxe Massilia his family. Of which he is today president.

The Massilia Boxing Collective, where Maho Bas-Villemagne trains

Through work and effort, boxing builds it all up. With around thirty women’s fights under her belt, Maho is gaining confidence in her technique. His anger does not leave him? He learns to channel it. And agrees to listen to this little inner voice which requires him to assert his identity. “Behind the gloves, I became masculinized“.

There is a time when yourself is stronger than anything

Maho Bah-Villemagne, transgender boxer

At 30, now a man in his private life alongside his girlfriend, Maho is finding it increasingly difficult to still be a woman in the ring. At Christmas 2022, the ffinal woman of the French Amateur Championships, which she lost against Wassila Lkhadiriis the last straw. “I heard the announcer talking about ‘girls,’ and I didn’t recognize myself.” SThe decision is made.

I felt like I was living a double life. It was schizophrenic

Maho Bah-Villemagne, transgender boxer

After a year of procedures, Maho Bah-Villemagne wins his first round in December 2023. New identity card, France recognizes him as a man. “A lovely Christmas present.” There remains the second battle for the French military champion and vice-champion of French amateur, women’s category: boxer for men. The French Federation delivers the holy grail to him in May 2024.

It is now integrated into the men’s amateur championship. And will turn professional for men after five fights. Hoping to gain the support of boxers. “If they validate me, I have won everything”.

“Forgotten, the”Maho the monster” and other nicknames. In a few months, the boxer became the standard bearer for the recognition of transsexuals in sport: “Other federations are contacting us, we need to get people talking about us so that the cause LGBTQIA+ advance” enthuses Maho, determined not to let the world change without him. “I carry the weight of societal change on my little shoulders. But I experience it quite well because I do it for others.”

The boxer has not lost his hatred of injustices, revolted by the lynching of social networks against the trans boxer Imane Khelif during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“Being called a man is hyperviolent” Maho gets carried away Bah-Villemagne. “Me too, throughout my female career, I feared being considered as a man“.

At the Olympics, Imane Khelif lived my nightmare

Maho Bah-Villemagne, trans boxer

In front of his punching bags, Maho trains several hours a day. After two aborted encounters, for the first time, he will finally be able to fight man to man, against Evan Ferrandi, “a little young person” 18 years old also from Var. And shows the color: “I’m going there to win !”

“I went to spy on the guy on his networks. I saw that he republished the articles concerning me“. Maho lets out a “phew” of relief. The under 54 kg duel, this time, will take place; three rounds of three minutes each. Twice already, his designated opponents have thrown in the towel a few days before the planned fight Perhaps frightened by the idea of ​​having to box an opponent who was a woman, “and that it harms the image of their virility” he analyzes. “Maho the monster” is not yet completely erased.