Italian boxer Angela Carini left the ring just 46 seconds into her women’s 66kg bout against Algerian Imane Khelif at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics. Carini, visibly upset, broke down in tears after quitting the fight, an action that sparked considerable controversy. Notably, Khelif is one of two boxers allowed to compete at the Olympics despite being disqualified from last year’s women’s world championships for failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests.


In the boxing match, the Algerian initially landed a right hand on the Italian, who then had her headgear checked. Shortly after, Khelif tried to deliver a series of punches, leading Carini to signal that she wished to stop. Carini later revealed that she withdrew after taking a hit stronger than she had ever experienced. The first punch knocked off her chinstrap and a second punch struck her chin, causing blood to stain her shorts.


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Angela Carini Withdraws In Tears After Taking Strong Hits From Imane Khelif


After her withdrawal, Angela Carini collapsed to her knees in tears and refused to shake hands with Khelif, who later offered a consoling pat on the back of the Italian boxer.


Watch the video here:






The Angela Carini vs Imane Khelif bout had already ignited significant controversy, leading to mounting pressure on the International Olympic Committee to explain how a female boxer with unresolved questions about her opponent's sex was allowed to compete.


Social media erupted in outrage over the Angela Carini vs Imane Khelif match, with users questioning why a man was allowed to compete against a woman. Moreover, the hashtag #IStandWithAngelaCarini is trending on X (formerly known as Twitter).


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For those unversed, the Algerian boxer had been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi just before her final bout against Yang Liu due to a failed gender test according to the International Boxing Association's (IBA) eligibility criteria.