Gina Silva

News Reporter/ Photographer
     
Transgender Boxer
Location: Los Angeles
Nationality: Mexican American
Biography: Everyone has a story to tell and I've always been interested in hearing it. It's the reason why I became a journalist and why I love photography. My job allows me to meet people from all walks of life. I get to share with viewers the good... MORE
Public Story
Transgender Boxer
Copyright Gina Silva 2024
Date of Work Jan 2017 - Jan 2017
Updated Sep 2018
Topics Photography, Photojournalism, Sports, Transgender
Pat Manuel is the first U.S. boxer to fight as both a woman and man. 
Pat started fighting at the age of 16, but during that time, Pat was a completely different person. “I’m a competitor. I’m always looking to take myself to the next level. I was an excellent female fighter. One of the best in the world,” says Pat Manuel.  He was a female fighter who felt trapped in the wrong body. He says, “I was told I was a girl my entire life. But in my head, I was a boy. I never resonated or was familiar at all with wanting to be a girl, a woman. I had no idea that there were any other options.” After overcoming a deep depression, Pat decided to make the change. He says, “I realized I had been lying to myself for so long, I decided at that moment that I didn’t want to live that lie anymore. I wanted to live as I really, truly felt and I wanted to live as a man.” Pat began a long transition and years later, resurfaced and became the first boxer in U.S. history to fight as a woman and then as a man. Pat’s message to any boxers who are hesitant to get in the ring with him? “I say, people, look at me. Do you really think that you’re hitting a girl when you look at me? I’m a man. I walk through this world and people treat me as a man entirely.”


LinkedIn Icon Facebook Icon Twitter Icon
6,839

Also by Gina Silva —

Story

TRAVEL /LANDSCAPES

Gina Silva
Story

Veteran Pursuit

Gina Silva
Story

Weed Nuns

Gina Silva
Story

Gassing

Gina Silva
Story

The Pink Lady of Hollywood

Gina Silva
Story

Best Indian Food At Gas Station

Gina Silva
Story

Friendship Park

Gina Silva
Story

Landfill Harmonic

Gina Silva
Story

President Trump's Inauguration and Women's March 2017

Gina Silva
Story

Sex Robots

Gina Silva
Story

Music

Gina Silva
Transgender Boxer  by Gina Silva
Sign-up for
For more access