UK Boxing
Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold as boxing gender controversy rages in the background
Published
5 months agoon
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
While waiting for the talks, Tyson Fury sent a nine-word message to Anthony Joshua from Eddie Hearn
Published
5 hours agoon
December 22, 2024There have been calls for Tyson Fury to now arrange a British clash with Anthony Joshua.
The Gypsy King returned to the UK last night after suffering the second defeat of his career at the hands of heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad.
After the heartbreaking defeat, 36-year-old Fury insisted he take some time off over Christmas to rest before considering his next move as he did not want to commit to another fight.
However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is ready to enter into talks with Fury’s entourage once the two-time world champion recovers from defeat.
Hearn stated: “Obviously Fury will need time to reflect and get over the disappointment of the defeat. The truth is, I felt it was a great performance and he’s still at the top of his game. It’s time for Joshua against Fury.”
Both Fury and Joshua missed out on opportunities to fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown when they held all four belts in 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, Hearn remains sanguine that it will be a monumental fight if they can make it happen.
He added: “It’s not only the biggest fight in British boxing, but the biggest fight in sport. I believe we can have two fights in 2025. And when the time is right, we will have the appropriate discussions to see if we can achieve this.”
After his second defeat in 37 fights, Fury was asked about his future plans after the fight against Saudi Arabia, in which all three judges scored it 116-112 in favor of Usyk.
He said, “Go home and have a Merry Christmas. I was away for 12 weeks working on this fight. Now I’ll go home and enjoy it.
“Let’s go home now, let’s welcome the up-to-date year, let’s see what it brings. Will you see me fight next year? Perhaps so. You may not. We’ll talk about it next year.”
UK Boxing
Lennox Lewis interrupts the interview while Frank Warren fumes over Tyson Fury’s decision
Published
13 hours agoon
December 22, 2024Lennox Lewis interrupted Frank Warren mid-rant as Tyson Fury’s promoter became furious at the prospect of Oleksandr Usyk winning. The Gypsy King lost 116-112 on all three scorecards, and his attempt at revenge for the only defeat of his career ended with Usyk defending his WBA, WBC and WBO titles.
Both Fury and Warren strongly criticized the decision, which leaves huge doubts about the 36-year-old’s future. Fury said Usyk was given a “Christmas present” by the judges, while his longtime promoter was “stunned”, calling it “crazy”.
Fury said: “I was sure I won that fight again. I thought I won both fights, but on the other hand I came home with two defeats on my account. I will always believe, until the day I die, that I won this fight.
“I will always feel a little tired. Not a little, but actually a lot. When you don’t get a knockout, that’s what happens. You can’t guarantee victory.”
Warren complained about the result in various post-fight interviews, including one with the BBC. He said: “This is crazy. Everyone who sat where I sat, including neutrals [thought Fury won].
“Oscar De La Hoya, like me, was one round away. We both thought he won it, that’s a crazy result! It’s a split decision and I’m very disappointed. I know people will say I’m biased and I probably am, but I temper myself with bias.
Lewis then joined the conversation and Warren asked the heavyweight legend about the verdict. He replied: “I didn’t score, but it was close, definitely close.”
Warren then highlighted the fact that one of the judges didn’t give Fury a single round in the second half of the fight, fuming, “What kind of fight are they watching?”
Apparently not seeing the result the same way, Lewis simply added: “Yes, yes, should have given him a few rounds [in the second half of the fight]”
Lewis then shared his thoughts on the future of Usyk, who may decide to reunite the four heavyweight belts. A rematch with the holder of the second belt, Daniel Dubios, has already been suggested, although everything depends on his fight with Joseph Parker on February 22.
Lewis believes the 37-year-old could hang up the gloves and say: “He can do whatever he wants. He can retire if he wants, he can have a rematch, he can have another fight.
UK Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk’s various injuries after each fight with Tyson Fury say a lot
Published
17 hours agoon
December 22, 2024Oleksandr Usyk emerged from his latest fight with Tyson Fury without requiring hospitalization, allegedly a stark contrast to his experience after their first fight in May. On Saturday (December 21) in Saudi Arabia, the 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer secured his second victory over “The Gypsy King”, winning and retaining his undisputed heavyweight titles by unanimous decision.
Sporting significantly fewer battle scars than after his first triumph over Fury in May, Usyk had only minor bruises under his eyes this time. The judges were in agreement during the rematch, with all three unanimously scoring the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who appeared to take less damage throughout the fight.
Despite Fury’s claims that Usyk was hospitalized with a suspected broken jaw after their first meeting, the reigning champion denied such suggestions, admitting he only felt pain in the area and not a broken bone.
However, he admitted to the physical effects of their intense first clash, stating: “Yes, I have a little problem, but I have problems with my fist, my back and my whole body because it’s a tough fight that lasts 47 minutes. “
Despite Fury’s exhaustive preparation, which included a three-month period in which he stated he had not spoken to his wife Paris, he ultimately failed to defeat Usyk again. The result leaves fans and pundits wondering whether this defeat will push the Gypsy King to hang up his gloves for good, reports. Mirror.
The 36-year-old Fury could not hide his irritation after his second defeat in a row to the boxer from Kiev, calling the judges’ unanimous decision a “Christmas gift”. “I feel like I won both fights,” he declared.
I know I had to knock him out, but it’s boxing and things like that happen. I have no doubt that I won this fight. Franc [Warren] I was three or four rounds ahead, and a lot of people were at least two rounds ahead of me.”
Echoing Fury’s frustration, promoter Frank Warren expressed his astonishment at the referee’s performance. “I’m amazed at how they do it [judges] I scored a goal,” said the head of Queensbury Promotions.
“His jab was phenomenal, his footwork was brilliant, he wasn’t tardy. He was very evasive.” In the aftermath, IBF heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois entered the ring shortly after Usyk’s victory and challenged him to a rematch following his own knockout loss to the Ukrainian last year.
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