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Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold as boxing gender controversy rages in the background

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Imane Khelif secured Olympic glory with a points victory over Yang Liu of China in the women’s 66kg gold medal match. The Algerian, who was at the centre of a gender controversy at the Games, put in a dominant performance to claim the spoils in emphatic fashion.

Khelif was shouted into the ring by hundreds of Algerian fans at Roland Garros, who were in high spirits throughout the competition. Her opponent was loudly booed, with only a handful of Chinese fans waving flags in a compact corner of the arena.

The fight started off balmy, with Khelif using her reach to keep Yang tranquil in the opening exchanges. Yang managed to find a few openings to land some well-placed punches, showing no signs of being scared of the opportunity, while Khelif bided her time behind her jab.

Khelifa’s powerful right hook rocked Yang in the final minute of the first round, drawing a huge cheer from fans at ringside and in the stands. She was the first to score, and the judges were convinced she had the better start.

Khelif flew out of her corner in the second round, landing another powerful right hook before Yang responded with a well-placed punch. The Chinese boxer was in no mood to go down quietly and threw everything at Khelif to tip the scales in her favor.

The second round was much more even than the first, with both fighters landing a lot of punches, but it was Khelif who took it upon himself and came out on top. Yang had to pull off a miracle in the last round, but Khelif held forceful to finish neat and secure the gold medal.

Both fighters embraced sportively at the final bell, Khelif celebrating with her coaches, and Yang struggling back to her corner, knowing she hadn’t done enough. Khelif began a victory dance after the decision was announced, basking in her well-deserved Olympic triumph.

Former boxing world champion Carl Frampton told Eurosport: “When she stepped into the ring tonight I thought the roof was going to fall in. It was absolutely sensational. She was so determined today, she dealt with so much pressure and she was always confident she was going to win that gold medal.”

Khelif’s participation in the Olympics has sparked controversy, given that she failed a gender test imposed by the International Boxing Association last year. The organization is no longer recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which does not subject its athletes to the same tests.

Umar Kremlev, the president of the IBA, allegedly claimed that Khelif’s test showed XY chromosomes, but the body never produced any evidence. The 25-year-old was born a woman, and her father stepped in to dispel rumors that she had not followed the spread of misinformation on the internet.

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul’s thoughts about Mike Tyson changed when his reason for pulling out of the fight came to featherlight

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The long-awaited fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has already caused a huge stir. Their controversial fight, a professional boxing match that will count for both personal bests, will take place on November 15 at the AT&T Arena in Arlington, Texas, in front of an estimated 90,000 spectators.

Originally scheduled for July, the event was postponed because Tyson had to withdraw due to a recurrence of ulcers just weeks earlier. The boxing icon had to stop training on doctor’s advice, which resulted in the fight being postponed by four months.

However, Tyson recently stated that he no longer has the sore spot and is more than ready to fight the former YouTuber. Paul was disappointed but understanding when the fight was postponed. However, after Tyson was spotted partying shortly after the ulcer flared up, the Ohio native reportedly changed his mind about “Iron Mike.”

Both Paul and Tyson were largely respectful towards each other before the fight. Their camaraderie dates back to when Paul attended Tyson’s exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, which marked Tyson’s first return to the ring in almost 15 years.

After several years of honing his skills in the ring, Paul made it his mission to lure Tyson back into the fight. Negotiations between the two reportedly began in delayed 2023, culminating in the official announcement of their fight in March 2024.

However, tensions rose when footage appeared online of Tyson partying at a party shortly after he withdrew from the fight, citing medical reasons.

Paul’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian, did not hide his frustration, stating MMA hour that “Problem Child” was “pissed off” about the situation,” especially since Paul had previously expressed his concerns about “The Worst Man on the Planet.” Bidarian expressed his confusion on the matter, saying, “I thought [Tyson] he got hurt, what’s going on?”

Although Tyson did not directly answer questions about his alleged partying, the 58-year-old admitted that he has lost some discipline when it comes to eating. In an interview with Daily Mail.he said, “I ate too much bad food and stuff, and I got infirmed.”

The Fresh York native also mentioned that he had excessive vaping habits during this period, but claims that he has reduced his intake of “processed foods” and started avoiding them, so he is ready to fight Paul.

Given the 31-year age difference between Tyson and Paul, critics considered the event unsafe for Tyson given his age, and warned that it could tarnish his legacy. Nevertheless, Tyson insists he is not concerned about such concerns.

“I didn’t take this fight for the legacy,” he said emphatically. “I think legacy is really, from my point of view, legacy is ego. Who cares what people think of them when they’re gone? I’m dead. I can’t appreciate what anyone might think of me when I’m dead, so it means nothing to me.

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Heavyweight boxer hospitalized after ‘fractured cheekbone’ in gruesome knockout defeat

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Frazer Clarke was beaten by Fabio Wardley and was hospitalized as a result. Fighting each other for the second time in 2024, Wardley got the last laugh – after their first fight ended in a draw – by knocking out Clarke in less than three minutes.

From the beginning, Wardley had the advantage, taking the fight to his opponent and defeating him in a matter of moments. Clarke then went back to the top and continued, but moments later found himself facing punishment again, sending him to the canvas for a second time.

After two minutes and 28 seconds, Clarke was knocked to the ground twice, and when he tried to get up a third time, he was unsuccessful. However, referee Victor Loughlin immediately called off the fight after quickly examining the 33-year-old and the extent of his injuries.

Upon further examination, Clarke was found to have a dent on the side of her head from one of Wardley’s powerful hits. After the fight, it was announced that Clark was taken to the hospital to learn the extent of his injuries.

While it was unclear what injuries he sustained, many believed that Clarke suffered a broken jaw and cheekbone, resulting in a dent. After the fight, Wardley spoke to Sky Sports and wished his opponent all the best as he and the rest of the boxing world learned the extent of Clarke’s injuries.

Wardley said: “I always pray before a fight and I always ask that both me and my opponent come out of it protected and sound. I know it’s a painful thing, and at the end of the day it’s either work, but I want people, whoever I am, I’m ready to get back to my family robust and protected.

So I wish him all the best. I hope he’s doing well, I hope I can talk to him later and hug him and thank him, because look, those 12 rounds we had earlier were something special for us and for boxing. So again, I just hope he’s robust and OK.”

Additionally, Anthony Yarde shared his thoughts on the matter, especially considering the knock Clarke received as a result of the Wardley fight. “I’m ecstatic for Fabio, but at the same time I’m very worried for Frazer,” Yarde told Sky Sports.

“Everyone in boxing knows Frazier is one of the nicest people in boxing, so I was worried. It was disturbing to see him like this.

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“It’s a painful sport, but I don’t feel good when I see it. Well done Fabio. He’s got that dog in him. The way he swings, and he’s very skillful.”

Johnny Nelson also added: “He will be absolutely devastated, and those words that come out: you represent all the amateurs coming through the system, that’s how much pressure it put on him.

“But also the way of failure. No matter what happens, he needs to make sure he gets tested, gets a thorough examination. I’ve never seen a knockout like that, it was terrifying, it was disturbing. It’s the greatest sport in the world, but at the same time, a knockout like that brings everything down to earth.”

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UK Boxing

Full results of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol match, including the victory of Chris Eubank Jr

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Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by decision in one of the most essential main event wins since Saudi Arabia began staging boxing’s biggest fights. By winning this fight, Beterbiev became the first-ever undisputed lithe heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

The last time there was an undisputed three-belt champion in this division was in 2000, when Roy Jones Jr. defeated Eric Harding. Bivol and Beterbiev’s performance reflected the seriousness of the situation as they both left everything in the ring.

Initially, Bivol was in control of the fight before some difficult shots in round 4 revived Beterbiev. Beterbiev was 20-0 heading into the fight, winning every fight by knockout, but was unable to find enough strength in the later rounds to stop Bivol and maintain his perfect record.

It was Beterbiev’s ninth defense of the IBF title, sixth defense of the WBC title and third defense of the WBO title, and he held the belts while adding a fourth. Beterbiev didn’t show much emotion after the fight, but the victory meant everything to him.

“I must be excited [for this fight]” – Beterbiev said before the fight on ESPN Undisputed. “I don’t get emotional in front of people, but of course I’m excited. This is my goal [undisputed] master.”

On the card below, Fabio Wardley defeated Frazer Clarke in the first round after taking some brutal shots early on that resulted in his opponent needing medical attention. Clarke left the arena and went to hospital to undergo tests for a suspected broken jaw and cheekbone.

Chris Eubank Jr secured victory with a seventh-round stoppage in his first fight in over a year. Eubank Jr. under pressure from Kamil Szeremeta, he knocked him down in the first round, but he remained placid and won the 34th victory in his professional career.

“I had a good time there. I think I could have finished it the first time, but it’s been a year and I wanted to get some ring rust off,” Eubank Jr. said of the fight. Another fight almost took place after Eubank Jr. was announced as the winner, and the undefeated rival Conor Benn entered the ring.

Eubank Jr and Benn got into a heated confrontation and had to be separated, with both fighters wanting to meet in the ring. “Let’s get this done,” Eubank Jr was heard telling Benn after their first fight was canceled.

Benn was scheduled to face Eubank Jr. in October 2022, but the fight was postponed after Benn tested positive for clomiphene. Since then, the animosity has continued, and fans can finally see the fight that was supposed to take place two years ago.

Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol fight card results

Artur Beterbiew def. Dmitry Bivol by majority decision
Fabio Wardley def. Frazer Clarke via TKO, round 1
Jai Opetaia def. Jack Massey via TKO, round 6
Chris Eubank Jr def. Kamil Szeremeta by KO in round 7
Skye Nicolson def. Raven Chapman via unanimous decision
Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron – draw after inconclusive technical decisions
Mohammed Alakel def. Jesus Gonzalez via unanimous decision
Marco Marić def. Christian Flores via unanimous decision

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