‘Men shouldn’t compete in women’s boxing’: Outrage erupts on social media as Imane Khelif defeats Angela Carini in 46 seconds at Paris Olympics

The highly controversial boxing match between Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who failed a sex test at last year’s World Championships, and Italy’s Angela Carini was stopped after 46 seconds when Carini suffered a suspected broken nose. This match had already stirred significant controversy, with the International Olympic Committee facing scrutiny over how a female boxer could compete amid doubts about her opponent's sex.

Imane Khelif had been banned from competing in a gold-medal match in Delhi by the International Boxing Association due to failing biochemical tests for two consecutive years. Despite this, the IOC permitted her to compete in the Olympics. The power difference between the fighters became evident quickly, with Carini taking a punch to the face and signaling to her corner that she could not continue.

The abrupt end to the fight incited a strong reaction on social media. Many users expressed their discontent, emphasizing the match's already controversial nature. Oliver Brown, Chief Sports Writer of The Telegraph, remarked: “In a highly emotional interview, Angela Carini has just explained that she abandoned because she had never been punched so hard. Imane Khelif said nothing. And this is the issue that the IOC’s Mark Adams suggested everyone should just ‘dial down’. An absolute scandal.”


Former British PM Liz Truss also took to social media, stating: "When will this madness stop? Men cannot become women. Why is the British Government not objecting to this?"

Author JK Rowling had previously expressed her concern, saying: “What will it take to end this insanity? A female boxer left with life-altering injuries? A female boxer killed?”

One social media user commented, "Today, Angela Carini had her Olympics dreams shattered by Imane Khelif, a male boxer. It is suspected that he BROKE HER NOSE. Don’t let this pass quietly. MEN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BEAT WOMEN FOR SPORT. SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS."

Here's what some other social media users had to say:







Overall, the fight's outcome and the underlying issues have significantly heightened the debate on gender and fairness in sports.