Italian boxer breaks silence after pulling out of Olympic fight against boxer in gender controversy

An Italian boxer who pulled out of her Paris Olympics fight against an Algerian boxer caught in the middle of a controversy over her gender eligibility has revealed why she pulled out of her fight.

Angela Carini stepped into the ring on Thursday to face Imane Khelif in a 66-kilogram bout. However, 46 seconds into the fight, Carini went to her corner to call off the match. Khelif celebrated her fight while Carini was left in tears.

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Angela Carini of Team Italy reacts after abandoning her women's 66kg preliminary round match against Imane Khelif of Team Algeria in the first round on day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at North Paris Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Carini was seen going to her corner twice during the fight, once to have her headgear tightened after being punched in the face and once to abandon the fight.

“I got into the ring to fight,” she said via Italy's ASNA.

“I didn't give up, but one punch hurt too much, so I said stop… I'm leaving with my head held high.”

Khelif will advance to the next round in the under 66 kilos category. However, this victory comes in the middle of a week of controversy.

FORMER OPPONENT OF OLYMPIC BOXER IN GENDER ELIGIBILITY TESTING SPEAKS OUT: 'HER PUNCHES HURTED TOO MUCH'

Algerian Imane Khelif, right, and Italian Angela Carini in tears. (Getty Images)

The Algerian Olympian was disqualified from the 2023 World Boxing Championships after the International Boxing Association determined that Khelif had failed gender testing. According to Reuters, Khelif had high levels of testosterone.

IBA President Umar Kremlev explained the decision at the time, according to Russian news agency Tass.

“Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to deceive their colleagues by pretending to be women. According to the test results, it was proven that they had XY chromosomes. These athletes were excluded from the competition,” Kremlev said.

The International Olympic Committee cleared Khelif to compete and the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) rejected criticism ahead of Thursday's bout.

“The COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and defamation of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda by some foreign media outlets,” the organization said, via Reuters.

“Such attacks on her character and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympic Games. The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion.”

Italian officials have expressed concerns about Khelif's eligibility.

Imane Khelif of Team Algeria interacts with a coach of Team Algeria after Angela Carini of Team Italy, not pictured, retired from the women's 66kg preliminary round match in the first round on day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at North Paris Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

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“It is surprising that there are no precise, strict and uniform criteria at international level,” said Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, adding that it was strange “that there could be a suspicion, and much more than a suspicion, of an unfair and potentially dangerous competition for one of the contenders for the Olympic Games, an event that symbolises sporting fairness.”

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