Imane Khelif’s next opponent taunts the Algerian boxer ahead of upcoming Olympics bout
“If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win.”
While hockey players from the National Hockey League are enjoying their vacations or even sweating in the gym away from cameras, the 2024 Olympics in Paris have garnered all of the attention, especially when it comes to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif.
On Thursday, Khelif’s first opponent at Paris, Angela Carini of Italy, quit their bout after 46 seconds. She bursted into tears after abandoning the fight with a suspected broken nose and claiming that this was “not an equal competition”, leading to terrible accusations on the boxer’s identity and gender eligibility.
However, Khelif complies with all entry and medical regulations set by ruling entities, the International Olympic Committee stated on Thursday and she will face her next opponent, Luca Hamori of Hungary in the quarter finals of the women’s 66kg competition on Saturday.
Hamori reacted to her bout against Khelif, insisting she isn’t feeling the pressure and promises not to deser the match like Carini. Per the New York Post, Hamori boldly told reporters: “I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media”
She added the controversial line: ”If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win.”
When asked about Carini quitting the match less than a minute into the competition, Hamori, who handily defeated Marissa Williamson Pohlman of Australia in her latest fight, did not place blame on the Algerian boxer, and focused on the Italian’s decision:
“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.”
When asked about the saga and the boxing match trending for terrible reasons with particular attention given to Khelif previously being banned from fighting in women’s boxing events due to failing a gender eligibility test, Hamori revealed how she’s dealing with it.
“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.”
The bout takes place on Saturday and I can only imagine more will be said on Khelif, especially if she wins the fight against Hamori.
