The sports community and social media were in uproar after Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her welterweight round of 16 bout against Algeria’s Imane Khelif after 46 seconds on August 1st at the Paris Olympics.
Carini stated that she does not see the bout’s outcome as a loss, with many speculating that the decision was influenced by Khelif’s previous disqualification due to failing a gender eligibility test at the 2023 World Championships.
The controversy deepened when Carini, after a brief 30-second discussion with her coach, returned to the ring only to refuse to continue the fight against Khelif. Carini mentioned that Khelif’s punches were the hardest she had ever experienced, noting that a punch early in the bout dislodged her chinstrap and caused her to bleed, with blood staining her shorts. Ultimately, Carini sat in the center of the ring in tears after declaring her forfeiture.
Khelif, who won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championship, had been disqualified hours before her gold medal bout in New Delhi, India last year for not meeting the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) eligibility criteria. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) overturned the IBA’s decision, allowing Khelif to participate in the Paris Olympics.
Carini’s withdrawal from the bout after just 40 seconds was attributed to an apparent nose injury, though her decision has sparked mixed reactions on social media.
SmackDown star Logan Paul tweeted the following about this situation:
“This is the purest form of evil unfolding right before your eyes.
A man was allowed to beat up a woman on a global stage, crushing her life’s dream while fighting for her deceased father.
This delusion must end.”
Logan later tweeted:
“OOPSIES
I might be guilty of spreading misinformation along with the entirety of this app.
Although she’s been previously disqualified for failing a ‘gender test’ and has XY chromosomes, some sources say Imane Khelif was born a biological woman.
I stand by my sentiment that biological men should not compete against biological women in any sport and if you disagree you’re a sick f**k.”
Logan later posted a poll asking “Is my opinion that men shouldn’t be allowed to compete against women transphobic?”. 66% People voted ‘No’.
RAW star Sami Zayn tweeted the following today:
“Big ups to the Muslim sister Imane Khelif who advanced in the Olympics today to box for the gold medal after facing a swarm of the most idiotic, bigoted comments I’ve ever seen an Olympic athlete face. Inshallah she wins the big one & the bitcha$$es online get the help they need.”
MUST SEE: Logan Paul’s Fiancée Without Clothes:
