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Imane Khelif's next opponent reacts to upcoming Olympics bout after she stopped Italian in 46 seconds

Home> News> Sport

Updated 10:32 4 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 09:27 2 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Imane Khelif's next opponent reacts to upcoming Olympics bout after she stopped Italian in 46 seconds

The Algerian boxer will compete in the quarterfinals on Saturday

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

The next contender to take on Imane Khelif has spoken out ahead of their clash this weekend amid the controversy surrounding the Algerian boxer's inclusion in the Olympics.

Hungarian fighter Anna Luca Hamori will be stepping into the ring with the 25-year-old in Paris on Saturday (3 August) for the women's 66kg quarterfinals.

Khelif could secure herself a bronze medal if she triumphs, as well as a chance to try and bag a silver or gold.

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However, the sports star has come under fire for her participation in the 2024 Olympics after Italy's Angela Carini decided to abandon their match yesterday (1 August) after just 46 seconds, saying she had 'never been hit so hard' in her life.

In a post-match statement, Khelif's rival said she 'wasn’t able to finish the match', adding: "I went in to the ring to fight. I didn't give up but a punch hurt too much and I said enough. I'm leaving with my head held high."

Imane Khelif will fight again on Saturday. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Imane Khelif will fight again on Saturday. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

The Algerian was previously barred from an International Boxing Association (IBA) event in 2023 after failing gender eligibility tests due to elevated levels of testosterone.

But she was cleared by the Paris Boxing Unit to participate in the Olympics - as was Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who has been embroiled in the same situation.

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Neither of them have ever identified publicly as a man, transgender, or intersex.

The Olympic committee released a statement following the backlash regarding Khelif, which explained that her eligibility is based upon the gender stated on her 'passport'.

Focus has now fallen on Khelif's next opponent, Hamori, who she will battle it out against in the quarterfinals.

Despite all of the chatter surrounding the bout, the 23-year-old insists she isn't feeling the pressure - and vowed not to follow in Carini's footsteps by deserting the match.

According to the New York Post, she defiantly told reporters: "I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.

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Anna Luca Hamori, 23, says she is 'not scared' of her Algerian opponent. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Anna Luca Hamori, 23, says she is 'not scared' of her Algerian opponent. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

"If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win."

Speaking of what she thought of her Italian counterpart throwing in the towel while taking on Khelif, Hamori continued: "It was her choice.

"I don’t understand, because I thought every boxer’s mind is the same like mine, to never give up. But it was her choice. "We don’t know what was the reason. It’s her life, but I know I want to do this in my own life."

The 11-time national champion, who managed to triumph over Australia's Marissa Williamson Pohlman, says that staying off her phone and away from the media circus has helped her stay focused during the Olympics.

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She added: "I’m trying to not use my phone before the fight.

"I don’t want to care about the comments or the story or the news. I just want to stay focused on myself. I did it before my last two fights, so I think this is the key, and we will see."

Featured Image Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Topics: Boxing, News, Olympics, Sport, World News, Imane Khelif

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

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@livburke_

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  • Imane Khelif speaks out for the first time since opponent quit fight after 46 seconds in bombshell interview
  • Boxer who abandoned fight after 46 seconds 'wants to apologise' to Imane Khelif after gender controversy
  • Italian boxer who pulled out of controversial fight after 46 seconds will receive Olympic champion prize money
  • Reason Olympic boxer who failed gender eligibility test is able to compete as opponent abandons fight after just 46 seconds

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