In his first professional fight as a male, transgender boxer Patricio Manuel got a win in his debut by defeating Mexican super-featherweight Hugo Aguilar.
Manuel, the first pro transgender male boxer to fight in the United States, won the fight at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in by unanimous decision.
“I think if everyone knew what it took to get to this point,” Manuel said. “It has been almost two years since I’ve even been in a ring. I gotta say, my opponent, my hat is off to him. He came here to fight. He was fighting me the whole time. He fought me as a man and I have so much respect for him.”
Following the win, Manuel – who is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Boxing – said he plans to return to the ring and fight again.
"It's a funny thing when just living your truth becomes historic."
Patricio Manuel gets his first win as a professional boxer @fantasysprings. #GoldenBoyFN. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/ce4T9OcBQa
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) December 9, 2018
Manuel fought as a female at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012, but had to withdraw due to injury. He began transitioning in 2013.
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