It was a fight shrouded in controversy
Italy’s Angela Carini left the ring after just 46 seconds with a suspected broken nose following the controversial fight against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif who failed a gender test at last year’s world championships.
Khelif was banned from competing in a gold medal match in Delhi by the International Boxing Association after failing an eligibility test but has been permitted to fight at these Olympics.
Prior to the fight, the Algerian Olympic Committee condemned the attacks on their boxer as they issued a statement on the matter.
The Algeria Olympic Committee (COA) said: “COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets.
“Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics. The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion.”
Carini took a punch to the face and immediately walked to her corner and signalled she would not carry on, refusing to shake the hand of her opponent.
In the mixed zone following the fight Carini said she had come here to ‘honour her father’ but had ‘never been punched so hard’.
Khelif is one of two boxers competing at the games despite having been disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was stripped of bronze at the championships but has been permitted to fight in the Olympics.
Both boxers competed at the Tokyo games. The IOC defended their decision to allow the pair to fight saying that all boxers in the competition meet eligibility requirements.
