In an incredibly unexpected twist as politics seeps into global sport, Imane Khelif accidentally became one of the stories of the 2024 Olympics. A robust Algerian athlete, focused on giving her all to represent her country by winning a medal; a combination of fact, fiction and a lot of hyperbole sent the boxer into a whirlwind of unwanted attention over the summer.

Even though the heat has subsided, malicious posts have recently appeared on social media claiming that the IOC has stripped Khelif of her medal and that the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has banned her from participating in future competitions. The posts received enough attention, leading to a fact-check by Reuters and an official WBO statement regarding the rumors.

“Reports claiming that the WBO has banned Khelifa are patently false. We had no contact with Khelif. We congratulate her and wish her good luck in all her future endeavors,” said WBO General Counsel Gustavo Olivieri, Esq.

“Any report stating otherwise is patently false and ill-intentioned.”

Despite the confusion, Khelif won gold at the Paris Olympics in the welterweight category. At one point, her opponent left the ring, claiming that she had never been hit so demanding before. This added fuel to claims at the time that Khelif had failed a chromosome test and was in fact a male athlete.

The The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also commented on the latest development, stating: “There is absolutely no truth to these claims.”

Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn had to be separated when they came face to face in Riyad on the eve of Eubank Jnr’s fight with Kamil Szeremeta.

Eubank Jnr and Szeremeta, both 35, will meet at super middleweight on the undercard of the undisputed featherlight heavyweight title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

However, the former’s meeting with Benn will inevitably fuel speculation that they will finally fight in 2025.

Their 2022 catchweight competition was interrupted when Benn tested positive twice for the banned substance clomiphene and subsequently surrendered his British Boxing Board of Control license.

The 28-year-old Benn’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said back in September that he hoped Benn’s return would be imminent. “We will know more in early October how this will play out,” he said. “We had a lot of questions about why he wouldn’t just accept a two-year ban – the test was in June 2022.

“But to Conor’s detriment, he never wanted to agree to the ban because he believed in his innocence. He never wanted to make a deal and it cost him time.

“This little weasel has been waiting for the day when I starve and dehydrate, gaining weight so I can grow some balls and pull myself up,” Eubank Jnr wrote on social media.

“Don’t lose to that nugget on Saturday, Satsuma head,” Benn replied. “And I suggest you brush your teeth because your breath smells like a mountain of shit.

“Three rounds, I’ll flatten you.”

Lyndon Arthur picks Artur Beterbiev to beat Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night if he doesn’t age overnight since his last fight. He says he expected Beterbiev to get to Bivol at some point in the fight.

Lightweight heavyweight fighter Lyndon fought WBA champion Bivol (23-0, 12 KO) on December 23 last year in Riyad and lost by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. He also sparred with Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO) in the past and saw the difference in strength between them.

Lyndon says Bivol didn’t hit as rigid as he expected going into their competition. He lost the fight against Bivol by scores of 120-107, 120-107 and 120-107. In the seventh round, Lyndon hurt Bivol with a left to the body, forcing him to retire. For the remainder of the fight after this round, Bivol appeared to fight less aggressively.

Lyndon, 33, says it would hurt him if Beterbiev hit him with 10-ounce gloves with either hand because he hits too rigid.

“When I was there with Bivol, I thought, ‘He’s not hitting as rigid as I thought he was,’” Lyndon Arthur said. Professional boxing fans about his fight with Dmitry Bivol last year, which took place on December 23. “I was able to defend a lot more punches than I thought.

“I was with both of them. I sparred with Beterbiev. It’s not the same as fighting, but the punches he throws to be able to take them with 10-ounce gloves at the pace he brings and the resilience with which he enters the ring will make it arduous for Bivol to keep him shut down.

“He definitely hits rigid with both hands in 10-ounce gloves, and hitting with 10-ounce gloves would be painful,” Lyndon said of Beterbiev.

It’s a shame that Lyndon never fought Beterbiev as it would have given him more room to compare him to Bivol. For now, he can only spar with Beterbiev with larger gloves and headgear.

“Bivol, it’s his shot combination, his distance and the way he gets into range. Before you know it, he’s there. Beterbiev is his tenacity and ability to move forward. He is very good at boxing. Because he knocks everyone out, everyone thinks he’s a striker, but he played for a long time in Russia’s amateur team.

Bivol jabs and quickly moves forward to fire two shots before retreating. Bivol almost always lands two punches and then retreats. It’s predictableand this may be one of the reasons why Lyndon was able to pick up on Bivol’s tendencies during their fight. It was always the same: jab, move forward, operate left-right combo and retreat. There is never any variation.

“He had a long amateur career. He’s seen many styles. He is very good at boxing. Yes,” Lyndon replied when asked if Beterbiev would beat Bivol. “But Bivol could headbutt him for 12 rounds. It could happen.”

When people watch Beterbiev, they see him attacking with rigid shots and hitting opponents with constant pressure. He doesn’t look like he’s boxing. He throws powerful arrows and tries to chop them up. But he boxes, jabs and sets up punches like a seasoned boxer.

Regular fans don’t see it, but they don’t know the sport well enough to see his skill. Even die-hard fans who are too inactive to watch Beterbiev’s entire fights to form the opinion that they are unable to see what he is doing.

“As long as Beterbiev still has something left in the tank and doesn’t get elderly overnight. If he doesn’t reveal his age, I believe Beterbiev will get it,” Lyndon said.

The only question mark from fans about Beterbiev is whether his right knee, which has undergone surgery, is 100% ready for the fight. He underwent surgery last May to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, so he doesn’t have much time for rehabilitation.