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."
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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"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."
Topics: Boxing, News, Olympics, Sport, World News, Imane Khelif
Olivia Burke