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The Olympic Boxing & Gender Controversy: A Bitter Punch to the Sport’s Legacy

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Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, after defeating Italy's Angela Carini, left, in their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the Summer Olympics on Aug. 1.John Locher / AP

 

[by JuniorTheTruth™]

As the Paris 2024 Olympics are officially underway, boxing is at the crossroads of scandal and upheaval. The sport that once captured the essence of athletic glory on the grandest stage of all is now facing a double-edged crisis: the removal of boxing from the 2028 Olympics and a heated debate over gender eligibility that threatens to overshadow its rich history. Let’s dive into the controversy with boxing fans, athletes, and officials alike in a heated frenzy.

Boxing’s Olympic Future in Jeopardy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has delivered a devastating blow to the boxing world by excluding the sport from the 2028 Olympic Games and potentially beyond. This decision, rooted in allegations of corruption within the sport’s governing body, the International Boxing Association (IBA), has sent shockwaves through the boxing community.

Boxing’s exit from the Olympics is not just about losing a sport; it’s about erasing a piece of history. Olympic gold medals in boxing have been the pinnacle of achievement for many legendary fighters, from Andre Ward and George Foreman to Oleksandr Usyk. These athletes, who once dreamed of clinching an Olympic medal, now face the bitter reality that their sport may not be part of future Olympic narratives.

The IBA’s troubled reputation and the influx of new sports into the Olympic program have fueled this decision, leaving boxing’s cultural and historical significance in the balance. The Olympics have always represented a rare opportunity for working-class athletes to showcase their talents on a global stage. Removing boxing from this platform blows the sport’s soul and its tradition.

Gender Eligibility Controversy in Paris 2024

As if the future of Olympic boxing weren’t already in peril, the current Paris 2024 Olympics have been marred by a contentious debate over gender eligibility. The spotlight is on two female boxers, Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan, both of whom were disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships due to issues surrounding their biological sex.

Khelif and Yu-Ting faced scrutiny after tests reportedly revealed XY chromosomes and elevated testosterone levels, leading to their disqualification from the World Championships. Despite this, the IOC has permitted them to compete in the Paris Olympics, citing the less stringent eligibility rules from the Tokyo 2020 Games rather than the stricter IBA regulations. This decision has ignited a firestorm of debate.

Critics argue that allowing Khelif and Yu-Ting to compete undermines the fairness of the competition. Brianda Tamara Cruz Sandoval, a former opponent of Khelif, shared her experience, saying, “When I fought her, I felt very out of my depth. Her blows hurt me a lot.” Sandoval’s testimony has fueled concerns that Khelif’s participation might give her an unfair advantage.

The IOC’s spokesperson, Mark Adams, has defended the decision, cautioning against a “witch-hunt” and stressing that both athletes have competed as women according to their passports. However, this defense does little to quell the controversy surrounding Differences in Sexual Development (DSD) and the challenge of creating fair competition categories.

Imane Khelif of Team Algeria looks on after Angela Carini of Team Italy abandons the women’s 66kg preliminary round match at the Paris Olympics. Richard Pelham, Getty Images

 

The Road Ahead: A Legacy at Stake

As the boxing tournament unfolds in Paris, the sport’s Olympic future hangs in the balance. The controversy surrounding gender eligibility and the sport’s exclusion from future Games raise critical questions about fairness, inclusivity, and the essence of boxing.

Boxing’s storied past and its place in the Olympic Games face unprecedented challenges. As we watch the events unfold in Paris, the debate over boxing’s legacy and future will continue to simmer. The sport that once stood as a symbol of pure athleticism and indomitable spirit now grapples with issues that could redefine its place in the world’s most prestigious sporting event.

The punch that boxing has taken is not just a blow to the sport but a challenge to its integrity and history. Whether the sport can reclaim its place on the Olympic stage or be left to fight for relevance in a new era remains to be seen. One thing is sure: boxing’s legacy, shaped by its triumphs and controversies, will continue to captivate and inspire long after the final bell rings.

Respectfully Submitted.

-JuniorTheTruth™, 2024

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Boxing

Tyson’s conqueror, Danny Williams, was “never considered” for Morrison

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Kenzie Morrison Danny Williams

World Boxing News has learned that Danny Williams was never considered for a fight against Tommy Morrison’s son Kenzie on November 9.

WBN has learned from a source that Williams was scheduled to face Morrison next month when he returns to action at Firelake Arena in Shawnee. However, promoter Tony Holden confirmed what WBN initially reported, namely that Williams had been offered for the fight.

BoxRec also briefly placed Williams within Morrison’s record on November 9, before removing the former British champion. Williams famously knocked out Mike Tyson in 2004, but has since lived off his victory despite losing his British license more than a decade ago.

Holden, who represents Morrison and is looking for an opponent for the competition in three weeks, explained the situation exclusively to WBN.

“I never confirmed William’s story and I never considered him,” Holden said. “I said no when a local promoter suggested it.”

Williams, 51, last fought in August 202, losing for the 33rd time in his career. With 88 professional fights under his belt, Williams seems unable to turn down a payday despite his advanced age.

Morrison, a power puncher who has stopped 19 of his 21 wins, will look for his next conquest elsewhere. The fight with Mike Balogun remains on the table for 2025 after it was postponed from its original October date.

Balogun, who knocked out Kenzi’s brother Trey in the first round, claimed Morrison was pulled from the fight to spare him the loss.

Holden denies this view.

“Even though this post isn’t up to my standards, I’m going to write it anyway. Mike Balogun falsely claimed that I pulled Kenzie Morrison out of the fight because I was afraid he would lose. Please allow me to correct you, Mr. Balogun,” he stated.

“The decision was not made by Kenzie. Let’s raise the stakes and make it fascinating. If you emerge victorious this month, Kenzie will fight in November.

“We may decide this early next year. If your confidence remains unshaken, we can place a significant bet. Watch Kenzie take revenge on her brother and end your career.

Balogun, a former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, responded to Holden by increasing his salary for a potential collision next year.

“No matter how fair and honorable your decision was, just remember that ‘yesterday’s price is not today’s price,’” said the 2010 undrafted pick.

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Andrew Moloney is confident that if given the chance, he would have beaten Phumelele Cafu and Kosei Tanaka

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Andrew Moloney (left) attacks Pedro Guevara – photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Few people were more disappointed than Andrew Moloney when Kosei Tanaka lost his WBO super flyweight belt to Phumelele Cafu at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Monday night.

The 33-year-old Australian veteran was hoping to get a shot at beating Tanaka in the lucrative Japanese market.

Those dreams were dashed when South Africa’s Cafu delivered the performance of his life, knocking out Tanaka in the fifth round and finishing the fight strongly, beating the four-weight world champion by split decision.

“The plan was to target the WBO and really chase the Tanaka fight, but it all fell apart on Monday night,” Moloney (26-4-1NC, 16 KO) told The Ring. “I think the WBO is probably still the direction we go, but I’m not sure if they have a rematch clause or if Tanaka will take it. But after watching the fight yesterday, I would be really confident that I could fight one of these guys and win. We would like to follow this path.

“I would love to fight Tanaka in Japan as a four-division world champion. He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to and wanted to fight for a long time.

“Last night was a little hard to watch. The way he performed, I’m more confident than ever that I have what it takes to beat Tanaka.

I assume there will be a rematch and I hope that Tanaka will regain the belt and I will be able to return to the ring and climb the rankings, and maybe this fight will still happen.

Tanaka entered Moloney’s orbit four years ago when he debuted at 115 pounds. Earlier this year, it looked like they were also on a collision course, with Moloney being number one in the WBO rankings. However, when an offer was made for the vacant IBF lightweight title fight between Vasily Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. in May in Perth, Western Australia, Moloney felt he couldn’t turn her down.

This decision ended in disaster. Moloney faced Carlos Cuadras, who withdrew from the fight with a ruptured Achilles tendon and was replaced by Pedro Guevara. Moloney entered the fight with a torn bicep and was largely reduced to boxing with one hand, which circumscribed his punching power.

Still, Moloney felt he did more than enough to win, and was shocked when Guevara was declared the winner by split decision. He was so disappointed that he announced immediately after the fight that he was leaving the ring, but a few days later he withdrew these comments.

It was a breakthrough moment in his career.

“Looking back, it’s a wonderful thing, but watching the Tanaka-Cafu fight made me think that maybe I would do a lot of things if I could turn back time a little bit,” Moloney explained.

“Before my last fight, I was number one in the WBO rankings and I rejected the option of waiting to fight Tanaka. But the opportunity arose to fight Guevara in Australia for the interim WBC title on a major card, and to be candid, I kind of regretted that the Tanaka fight was hanging in the balance, but ultimately we decided to stay busy and take the opportunity to fight in Australia.

“Also, the injury before the fight was another thing I thought about: will I undergo surgery, keep the top spot and wait for Tanaka, but I made the decision to go ahead with the fight with Guevara. Looking back now, maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing to do. And looking at the way Tanaka fought last night, I thought maybe I should have waited. I’m sure I could beat Tanaka and take the belt away from him.

“So I take some consolation, but unfortunately you can’t turn back time.”

It’s been a frustrating year for Moloney, but he’s still hitting the gym and his team is working to get him another fight. The window of opportunity to box again this year is closing quickly, but he still hopes to return to the ring in December, most likely in his native Australia.

“I really hope so,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been working on. I have been training strenuous at the gym for some time, quite a few months. I hope to return before the end of the year.

“At this stage it will probably be December. I’m trying to block something, but so far no luck. I’m still training away as if the fight was to take place in December, the team is currently working on it and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll be able to finish it.

“I just hope we can get out before the end of the year, get back into the winner’s circle and start climbing the rankings again.”

Moloney, who fought at bantamweight for the first three years of his professional career before dropping down to super flyweight, surprisingly, said he would even consider moving up to another weight class given the right opportunity.

“It’s a tough time in the super flyweight division,” said Moloney, the eighth challenger to The Ring’s 115-pound title. “There’s a lot going on and it’s always strenuous to plan which route to take because everything changes so quickly. I’d pick Bam Rodriguez to beat Guevara, then there’s talk of a rematch between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez on Up-to-date Year’s Eve. And then there’s talk of Bama, if they win, fighting the winner of that game in unification. The WBO seems to me the fastest way to win the title, so that’s the path we will follow.

“We have also rejected for some time the idea of ​​moving up to flyweight and getting crack there. There’s also some engaging scene going on there right now, but it’s still uncertain. I’d probably feel a little better at super flyweight, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens with Cafu and Tanaka, but like I said, I’d feel comfortable and confident against either of them, so hopefully he can make it it will happen sooner rather than later.”

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Doubts that fuel 19-year-old Benjamin Johnson

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Despite an impressive amateur resume, welterweight Benjamin Johnson of Springdale, Maryland, enters the professional ring with a shoulder injury.

Johnson will face Kevin Pantoja in a four-round fight at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, promoted by his trainer Lamont Roach Snr’s NoXcuses Promotions. The fight will be broadcast on Saturday on ProBox TV.

Johnson, 1-0 (1 KO), spent just 2:23 in the ring in his professional debut, displaying the quick, aggressive hands that won him multiple national titles. However, 19-year-old Johnson feels an advantage, believing he is being overlooked by his NoXcuses Boxing Gym teammates.

Pantoja, 1-1, 27, has never stopped being a professional – Johnson aims to change that.

“People underestimate me,” Johnson said. “It’s been like that since I was an amateur.”

He added that this underestimation increases his motivation in the gym. Johnson is determined to prove his worth not only to himself, but also to those who doubt him or, worse, don’t recognize him. “I never felt like I was recognized as that guy, so I feel like I’m underappreciated,” Johnson said of his amateur and now professional career.

Johnson sees the fight as a key step in his career, compared to feared forward David Benavidez by some teammates and touted by others as one of the most ready-to-fight prospects in the country.

“I train as much as I can,” Johnson said. “It’s about making a statement. The way you win shows people what you’re capable of, and I’m ready to show my best.

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