A leading figure in boxing has addressed the gender debate in the Olympics.
Following Angela Carini’s withdrawal from a match against a boxer identified as having XY chromosomes, Jake Paul labeled the situation “sickening” and “a travesty.”
“Regardless of your beliefs, this is unacceptable and hazardous,” Paul stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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Jake Paul speaks at the press conference for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)
Imane Khelif of Algeria bested Carini, who left her corner just 46 seconds into the match.
Khelif celebrated her victory as Carini was seen in tears. Following the match, Carini was heard expressing her frustration to her coaches in Italian, challenging the fairness of the competition.
“I stepped into the ring to compete,” she said, as reported by Italy’s ANSA. “I didn’t quit, but one blow was too much, and I declared I was done. I’m leaving with my dignity intact.”
Given her choice to stop fighting, Paul extended an invitation for her to join an undercard for his organization, Most Valuable Promotions (Paul’s upcoming fight against Mike Tyson in November is on an MVP card).
Angela Carini during her match against Imane Khelif at the Olympic Games on Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris. (Fabio Bozzani/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“To Angela Carini, while your aspirations couldn’t be realized today due to the bizarre agendas influencing our world, I would like to invite you to fight on an MVP undercard, allowing you to display your skills on a fair stage,” Paul expressed.
Khelif’s eligibility faced scrutiny due to a problematic gender eligibility test conducted in 2023.
Khelif was disqualified during the 2023 World Championships, which was governed by the International Boxing Association. The organization claimed that Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting did not meet the gender eligibility requirements.
Imane Khelif and Angela Carini after their match. (Reuters/Isabel Infantes)
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IBA president Umar Kremlev elaborated on the decision at the time, as per Russia’s Tass News Agency. Reuters reported that Khelif had tested positive for elevated testosterone levels.
“Using DNA tests, we identified several athletes who attempted to deceive their peers by posing as women. The test results proved they possess XY chromosomes. Such individuals were barred from competing,” Kremlev stated.
The IBA also announced on Wednesday that its findings indicated Khelif held “competitive advantages over other female athletes.”
Both Khelif and the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) rejected assertions regarding Khelif’s XY chromosomes.
The International Olympic Committee, meanwhile, cleared Khelif to participate in the Games, defending her position in a statement released on Thursday.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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