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Angela Carini bowed out of the biggest fight of her life in just 46 seconds after eating several big shots from her controversial opponent, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif … who failed a gender eligibility test in 2023, but has been permitted to compete in Paris.
25-year-old Carini, competing for Italy, faced 25-year-old Khelif on Thursday … but the scrap didn’t last very long. Less than halfway through round one, Angela decided she’d had enough, and the fight was over.
Khelif’s presence in Paris has given rise to massive controversy.
Just last year, a major boxing organization ruled Imane, who reportedly had elevated testosterone levels, was not eligible to compete after failing a gender test prior to the gold medal match in the 2023 World Championships, resulting in a disqualification.
Reports also indicate testing showed Khelif had XY chromosomes (typically male) — whereas women typically have two X chromosomes (XX).
But, as for Olympic eligibility, there’s no problem, according to the International Olympic Committee.
“Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules,” an IOC spokesman said earlier in the week. “They are women in their passports and it’s stated that this is the case, that they are female.”
The explanation did little to quell the outrage … with scores of fans accusing officials of putting Carini in danger.
After all, this is boxing.
Following the bout, Carini talked about the experience, and why she decided to stop the fight.
“I felt a severe pain in my nose, and with the maturity of a boxer, I said ‘Enough,’ because I didn’t want to, I couldn’t finish the match.”
Carini, who is now eliminated from medal contention, said she wasn’t qualified to decide whether Khelif should be permitted to compete against women.
“I am not here to judge or pass judgment,” Angela said.
“If an athlete is this way, and in that sense it’s not right or it is right, it’s not up to me to decide. I just did my job as a boxer. I got into the ring and fought. I did it with my head held high and with a broken heart for not having finished the last kilometer.”
It’s unclear when Khelif will return to the ring next.