Boxing has traditionally been associated as a masculine activity, identified with the male physique and psychology. Blood, bruises, cuts and concussion, are considered to be "natural" for men, but absolutely at odds with the essence of femininity. Boxing is deeply gendered, embodying and exemplifying "a definite form of masculinity: plebeian, heterosexual and heroic". Thus, when female boxers display unconventional signifiers like aggression, power and hyper-performity, there arises a confusion and a complete lack of grammar to understand to which category they belong. The feminine signifiers (like make-up, bindis, manicured nails, and hairstyle) are culturally set "natural" signifiers, whether they are carried by a markedly feminine woman in a traditional sense or by a markedly masculine woman. In the context of female boxing, the confusion arises because they combine culturally masculine aggression and traditional feminine signifiers. Thus, in the premise of the ring, they feminise masculinity and masculinise femininity.

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