Transgender boxer Patricio Manuel remains defiant despite suffering a knockout loss just 21 seconds into his bout at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
The boxer, born Patricia Manuel, is a five-time women’s amateur boxing champion and participated in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. However, she had to withdraw due to injury. However, in 2013 Manuel began “transitioning” to male, and by 2014 she had undergone full transgender surgery.
As a male boxer, Manuel won three fights in a row, but that streak ended on April 4 when his opponent, Joshua Bryan Reyes, entered the ring and defeated Manuel in just 21 seconds.
According to reports, Manuel is defiant in an Instagram message, saying now is not the time to give up his ring. talk sports..
Patricio Manuel, the first professional transgender fighter, is now 3-1 after one loss last week by knockout of Joshua Reyes.
Pat is in good spirits and says the failure won’t break him.
Pat was the U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion before undergoing gender reassignment. #BoxingnBBQ #boxing pic.twitter.com/crb1AXj6mk
— BoxingnBBQ (@BOXINGnBBQ) April 12, 2024
Manuel wrote, “No matter the result, I’m not one to hide my face…I lost last night.”
“I trained my body, sparred great and didn’t cut corners. But sometimes things don’t go your way.
“When we step into the ring, that’s the risk we all take. That’s what’s exciting about boxing, and it’s also the most heartbreaking thing,” Manuel continued.
“The most important thing is that I’m healthy. I’m very disappointed and, to be honest, my self-esteem is devastated.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ZUpm7S0WD/
“But I refuse to bow my head in shame. I’ve never been the type to play it safe, so sometimes I fail. And life teaches me that failure doesn’t break me. He taught me many times,” the boxer claimed.
“Thank you to everyone who has been (and hopefully continues to be) in my corner.”
Manuel is the only female-born boxer to compete professionally in the men’s category.
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