This chapter offers an autotheoretical account of my experiences as a trans man training for my first amateur bout 鈥� one that has yet to come but borne out of a never-ending fight. My chapter is in conversation with autobiography (McBee, 2018), journalistic (Oates, 2006) and ethnographical scholarship addressing the intricacies of pugilistic violence as a response to systemic gender, racial, sexual and economic oppression (Beauchez, 2017; Rutter, 2007).
Boxing draws fighters from marginalized communities. As a trans man, I have fought intense 鈥榥egative鈥� feelings most of my life 鈥� emotions culminating into rage. I joined an amateur boxing club in Ottawa after trying to instigate a street altercation with a stranger. Feeling out of control, I sought refuge with others who also believe fighting solves problems.
Professor Irving is a faculty member in the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Feminist Institute of Social Transformation at 杏吧原创 University.
听(2023), “Slipping Into the Shadows: Boxing, Affect and Healing Justice”, 听补苍诲 听(贰诲.) Trans Athletes鈥� Resistance听(Emerald Studies in Sport and Gender), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 59-69.