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Imane Khelif addresses gender row at Olympics as family fears for boxer’s safety

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Imane Khelif has called on critics to stop harassing her over the gender row that has engulfed the 2024 Olympics, warning it could have “huge effects” on people’s mental health.

The Algerian boxer sparked controversy in Paris after he easily won his fight in the women’s category despite having been previously disqualified from the competition for failing a gender test.

Khelif is now assured of a medal and could even win gold, which has sparked outrage from many celebrities and athletes who have criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing Khelif to compete despite the fact that she has a deviation in sexual development (DSD).

The 25-year-old has repeatedly said she is a biological woman, not transgender or intersex, and sent online trolls a desperate message asking them to stop insulting her due to the “huge implications” it could have.

“I am sending a message to all people in the world to respect the Olympic rules and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from abusing all athletes because it has consequences, huge consequences,” Khelif told sports station SNTV in Arabic.

“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And that’s why I ask them to refrain from harassing people.”

Khelif also revealed how concerned her family was about the reaction to her participation: “I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope they are not deeply affected,” she said.

“They’re worried about me. God willing, this crisis will end with a gold medal, and that would be the best answer.”

Khelif spoke out after the IOC admitted he had received a written warning with test results that claimed he had “male DNA.” However, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the tests were not reliable.

According to Telegraph, The International Boxing Association (IBA) informed Olympic officials in June last year of the results of tests conducted on Khelifa. One test in India last year and an earlier test in Turkey in May 2022 “showed that the boxer’s DNA was male and consisted of XY chromosomes,” the IBA said in a statement.

Despite this, Khelif was allowed to compete in the Olympics. She faced Italian Angela Carinin in the first round, but the Italian withdrew after 46 seconds – citing concerns for her safety.

In the next round, Khelif demolished Luca Anna Hamori, and on Tuesday he will face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannatheng in the gold medal fight.

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson officially suspended after controversial fight

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Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have been suspended by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) following their highly anticipated fight. Following the Arlington fight, the pair received a mandatory minimum suspension period, which in this case is 24 days.

TDLR rules state that each fighter must rest for at least three days in each round fought. Because the YouTuber-turned-boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion only fought for eight rounds, he will be suspended for 24 days, according to the website MMA enthusiast.

Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor also face bans. Their fight was very close and Taylor won by unanimous decision, as a result of which both stars were sidelined for over a month with a 45-day suspension.

Even though the Serrano-Taylor fight showed incredible determination and strength, the Paul-Tyson main event seemed to lack the same intensity. After the first attack, the 58-year-old Tyson appeared to tire quickly, allowing Paul to take advantage of his opponent’s waning stamina.

After eight rounds of uninspiring boxing, the 27-year-old was declared the winner by unanimous decision, with Paul paying tribute to Tyson in the closing moments of the final round. In a speech to fans after the fight, Paul apologized for not knocking out Tyson, even though he had previously promised to do so.

“I’m sorry I didn’t knock him out,” Paul said as his entourage nodded in agreement that he chose the honorable route by not beating the 58-year-old icon. He admitted to holding back his punches when he noticed Tyson weakening as the fight progressed.

“After I saw he was tired, I didn’t want to hurt him too much, but I wanted the fans to experience a good experience,” he added. Paul also mentioned that the Tyson fight felt “different” from his previous fights, emphasizing that a more composed attitude allowed him to anticipate Tyson’s moves and prepare more effectively.

“Fighting in the stadium is less personal and less deafening, so it’s less stressful on the nerves,” he noted. “Arenas are harder to fight in. Come out, I was serene, serene and collected.

“In the first round I timed his speed and managed to get his time quite quickly and saw how I could mark him and touch him. The rest was history, I just boxed him and had fun.”

With Paul’s status as a boxing headliner at one point confirmed by over 100 million viewers, the teenage fighter feels he has earned the right to fight some of the biggest names in the sport. As such, Paul is confident that with his victory over Tyson, he can become a champion within the next few years.

“I think it could happen in the next 24 months. I really, really believe in my skills, abilities and power. And the cruiserweight division is apparently open to admission on this date,” he stated.

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul was unaware of Mike Tyson’s sedate health problems before the fight

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Jake Paul and his team reportedly had no idea about Mike Tyson’s health concerns ahead of his boxing fight, even though the heavyweight icon revealed he feared for his life.

Last Friday, Tyson, 58, returned to the professional ring for the first time since 2005 to face social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. In the fight in Texas, “The Problem Child” won by unanimous decision, although he failed to land any knockout blows during the fight.

CompuBox post-fight statistics showed that Tyson landed just 18 punches over eight rounds, landing only four of 13 robust body punches and missing none of his five jabs.

After his defeat, Tyson, a former world heavyweight champion, confessed on X that he “almost died” before the fight.

“It’s one of those situations where you lost but you still won. I’m grateful for last night. I don’t regret stepping into the ring for the last time. I almost died in June. I had 8 blood transfusions. I lost half my blood and 25 pounds in my body to the hospital and had to fight to get well to fight, so my kids saw me go head to head and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy Stadium, that’s an experience that no man has ever experienced. the thank you.”

Paul’s business associate, Nakisa Bidarian, revealed on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that he was unaware of Tyson’s health issues prior to the fight, stating: “That sentiment he expressed in that post was never shared with us. We have a doctor’s opinion reports that we talked to doctors, we never thought about it… he was close to losing his life, or whatever it was that he said in the post.

“I appreciate that there was a lot of emotion leading up to this event and I appreciate how he reflected the next day on what he had been through, but I can say unequivocally that every report we received from his team, every conversation we had, was his doctor’s opinion. “there was nothing other than to say he would be 100 percent fit to compete starting in tardy August and early September.”

Tyson’s fight with Paul was initially scheduled for July, but was delayed due to Tyson’s health problems on the plane. Tyson spoke about the terrifying experience ahead of the postponed match, revealing: “I was in the bathroom vomiting blood. I asked the doctor: “Will I die?” He said, “We have options.” Options? I couldn’t believe it. I had about eight blood transfusions.

“The doctor said I had lost half of my blood. I almost died. I lost 25 pounds in 11 days. I couldn’t eat. Only fluids. Every time I went to the bathroom it smelled of tar. It didn’t even smell… — It was disgusting.

“It threw me off [when I continued training]. All my coordination, stamina, everything was hectic on the way back. I was already at the top. I could fight him that day. Now I have to start from scratch. I just don’t give up. Sometimes I’m an asshole. I am advertising***. If I haven’t outlived my enemies, I’ve turned them into friends.”

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UK Boxing

Eddie Hearn names four potential future opponents for Callum Smith

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Smith has not fought since his defeat to Beterbiev in Quebec City (Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

It looks like Smith has big fights on the horizon (Photo: Ed Mulholland Matchroom Boxing)
It looks like Smith has substantial fights on the horizon (Photo: Ed Mulholland Matchroom Boxing)

Eddie Hearn has mentioned four names as Callum Smith’s potential big-money fights in 2025, ahead of his return to the ring next weekend.

Smith hasn’t boxed since his seventh-round defeat of Artur Beterbiev in their unified airy heavyweight world title fight in January, and many – including Hearn – had doubts whether the Liverpudlian would fight again.

However, this week it was announced that “Mundo” would return for round eight on the undercard Sunny Edwards vs Gal Yafai November 30, and an opponent has not yet been announced.

Hearn stated that once the cobwebs are cleared next week, the former super middleweight world champion will go straight into the substantial fight in 2025.

I speak at Matchroom Boxing YouTube channelSmith’s longtime promoter teased domestic feuds with Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yard and Lyndon Arthur, as well as a clash with Dmitry Bivol.

Smith hasn't fought since losing to Beterbiev in Quebec City (photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Smith hasn’t fought since losing to Beterbiev in Quebec City (photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

“He will come back after an eight-round fight, get rid of the cobwebs after the Beterbiev fight and then he will jump straight into action!

“Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Lyndon Arthur, even Dmitry Bivol.

“Any of these great opportunities at 175 pounds.

“Just one little run next week and then whoever wants.

Bivol was one of the names mentioned by Hearn (Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Bivol was one of the names mentioned by Hearn (Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

“I’m excited. Sometimes I feel like I’ve rejoined the stable.

“We have been with Callum since his professional debut, so I am looking forward to his performance in Birmingham and then he will have a substantial fight in 2025.”

Smith looked like a disruptive force in the airy heavyweight division before losing to Beterbiev, following two previous fights that saw victories over Lenin Castillo and Mathieu Bauderlique.

His only other loss was against a pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez in 2020and the 34-year-old will no doubt still feel he has enough energy to pull off a substantial win next year.

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