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Sex change boxer Rob Newbiggin will fight as a woman


A BOXER is planning his last fight as a man before he undergoes a sex change.

Rob Newbiggin, whose 20-year professional fight record includes three wins, one by knockout and 12 defeats, said he was born intersexual – meaning he cannot be classified male or female.

He claimed his adoptive dad talked him into boxing because it was masculine.

But Rob, of Southport, who has sparred with Ricky Hatton, is hoping to continue boxing after surgery by getting a licence to compete as a woman.

The 44-year-old father-of-three said he was born with the physical characteristics of a man, but had high levels of oestrogen in his body and was put up for adoption.

He moved to Southport with his new family at the age of four.

Rob said: “My dad said I had to act like a man because people would not accept me as anything else, so I started boxing at the YMCA at about the age of 12.

“He was trying to protect me. I did not find out I was adopted until I was 16 and then about how I was born, but then it all starting making sense. From the age of 10, I was dressing up and watching girls – I preferred girls’ company.

“I have never drunk alcohol and while all my friends were going out chasing girls and getting drunk, I was a bit of a recluse.

“My dad started steering me into painting, which I enjoyed. I was still boxing, but I was not into all that bodybuilding stuff.

“Most men want to bulk up but I was relieved when I lost weight.

“I have lost two stone since last year but I am keeping up my strength for my fight against Michael Gomez.

“It will be over six rounds at the Ritz in Manchester on August 14.

“It will be my last fight as a man, but I am hoping to get a licence to fight as a female.”

Rob, who is married to Emma, 27, now plans to leave Southport to start a new life as Mercedes.

He added: “At the end of it, I will be the woman I want to be, but it will be a huge sacrifice because I’m going to have to leave.

“I cannot stay here now – I thought people would be more supportive, like Emma, but I was wrong.”

Over the next year, Rob will have to take female hormones and undergo a psychological assessment before the surgery.

He said: “While I am going through the transformation my kids will not see me as Mercedes.

“It would not be fair for them to see me like that.”

THE ECHO

I read this somewhere else? Would she have an unfair advantage due to the experience fighting with fellas?!

Most women do

hahahaha yeah. I walked into that one.
However how many women have sparred with ricky hatton?