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UK Boxing

Olympic bosses issue sturdy statement after Imane Khelif’s boxing victory sparks controversy

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The International Olympic Committee has defended its decision to allow two boxers who had previously failed a gender test to compete in the Paris Summer Olympics. Thursday’s boxing action was overshadowed by controversy after Algeria’s Imane Khelif, disqualified from last year’s world championships after being deemed “biologically male”, defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds.

The Italian took a powerful punch in the first exchange before returning to her corner to adjust her helmet.

But a moment later she decided to give up and with tears in her eyes refused to shake Khalif’s hand.

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Like Kelif, Algerian boxer Yu-ting, who was also disqualified from competing in Recent Delhi last year, is also allowed to fight and begins her campaign on Friday. However, the IOC has called the decisions “discriminatory” and responded to criticism of the eligibility criteria.

“Every person has the right to practice sports without discrimination,” they said. “All athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Boxing Tournament comply with the rules on eligibility and participation in competitions, as well as all applicable medical regulations established by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).

The authorities added that “the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passports” and explained that both athletes previously competed in Tokyo. “We have seen misleading information in reports about two athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” they added.

“Both athletes have competed in international boxing competitions in the women’s category for many years, including at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA sanctioned tournaments.”

Referring to the IBA ban and the “aggression” against the athletes, the IOC said: “These two athletes were victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. At the end of the 2023 IBA World Championships, they were suddenly disqualified without due process.”

Khelif, a former African champion, competed in the lightweight division in Japan three years ago. But she was defeated by Irish Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Lin Yiu-Ting lost in the featherweight round of 16 to Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio.

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UK Boxing

Tony Bellew says Jake Paul can’t beat him, never mind Canelo

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Bellew gatecrashed Wednesday

Bellew is clearly not Paul's biggest fan (Matchroom Boxing, Jake Paul X Account)
Bellew is clearly not Paul’s biggest fan (Matchroom Boxing, Jake Paul X Account)

Tony Bellew ridiculed Jake Paul’s claims that he can beat Canelo Alvarez ahead of Friday’s fight with Mike Tyson.

Bellew broken gate Wednesday’s press conference devoted to Paul’s controversial fight with Tyson, during which he ridiculed the YouTuber for fighting the nearly 60-year-old Tyson.

“The Problem Child” has repeatedly assured that one day he will not only fight, but also defeat unified super middleweight world champion Alvarez, who has only lost to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.

There are few, if any, in the boxing world who would give the 27-year-old a good chance of competing with the Mexican icon, widely considered one of the best of his generation.

And in an interview with MailSportBellew stated that even Paul himself did not think he could upset Alvarez.

Bellew interjected at Wednesday's press conference with an elderly gentleman who had called Paul to the meeting. Photo: Stephen McCarthy
Bellew interjected at Wednesday’s press conference with an elderly gentleman who had called Paul to the meeting. Photo: Stephen McCarthy

“He really doesn’t believe he can beat Canelo.

“Listen, I’m 41 years ancient and he couldn’t lace up my gloves. Not suitable for carrying my belt.

Mike Tyson punched Jake Paul after yesterday's weigh-in (photo: Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
Mike Tyson punched Jake Paul after yesterday’s weigh-in (photo: Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)

“I’m over it, a retired boxer who plays golf a few times a week and he still has no chance with me, let alone Canelo.

“Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is probably one of the best fighters I have ever seen, he is that good.

“In terms of counter-punching, he’s probably in the top five best fighters in boxing history.

“The guy is a freak, a modern-day Thanos.

“Jake Paul says things to get a response and a reaction. If he was grave about boxing, he would face really vigorous boxers.

“Or he would face former world champions who are not grandparents!”

Canelo was dismissive of the fight with Paul. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
Canelo was dismissive of the fight with Paul. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Paul’s fight with Tyson was met with weighty criticism, with some expressing concerns about the health of the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, who had to withdraw from the July 20 event due to the flare-up of an ulcer.

Despite this being a fully licensed professional fight, the pair will wear larger gloves and fight in two-minute rounds.

65,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at AT&T Stadium, with Netflix viewership estimated in the tens of millions.

Both of them turned up the heat before the fight during Thursday’s weigh-in with Tyson hitting an opponent before being thrown out by security as tempers reached fever pitch.

“Iron Mike,” who has been out of professional boxing for almost two decades, will hope to turn back the years and become the second man to defeat Paul.

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UK Boxing

Mike Tyson’s replacement on standby when Jake Paul receives a up-to-date fight offer

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Heavyweight boxing legend Butterbean said he is more than ready to replace Mike Tyson should the former world champion suffer any more health complications ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. Butterbean, whose real name is Eric Esch, is also a 58-year-old former boxer who was best known for his ability to knock people out at will.

The Atlanta native was also looking forward to fighting Paul, repeatedly calling out the YouTuber. Butterbean left the ring for good after losing his last fight to Kirk Lawton in 2013.

After undergoing a stunning body transformation, he feels more than ready for another battle in the squared circle. So much so that he promised to be in Texas for Tyson’s fight with Paul.

He took it TikTok and said, “Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, I will be at the fight to challenge the winner of the fight, yes. Mike, if you drop out again, I’ll be there to take your place.”

Esch finished his career with 77 wins, 57 by knockout and only 10 losses. Boxing fans remember him fondly as one of the funniest fighters to ever grace the sport.

By comparison, Tyson initially retired from boxing with 50 wins, 44 knockouts and six knockouts. His fight with Paul will be a fully sanctioned professional fight that will count towards both fighters’ records.

Tyson has not taken part in such a fight since 2005, when he was knocked out after the sixth round against Kevin McBride. Despite suffering a stomach ulcer that delayed his first fight, Tyson assured fans that his health problems were now behind him.

Tyson tipped the scales and achieved an impressive 233 pounds (16 and a half stone). When asked how he felt before the fight, he replied: “I’m fine. Nobody treats me calmly. They want to see if I leave or not and I’m still here. All training is over. Fighting is a party, training is preparation, but fighting is a party.”

Tyson escalated their feud by punching Paul during their last confrontation, leading to their separation. Paul responded to the argument by touching his cheek and laughing at Tyson.

The “problem child” mocked Tyson even more in an interview after the incident. He said: “I didn’t even feel it. He’s enraged, he’s an enraged little elf.

“Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but you’re going to get knocked out tomorrow. Fuck him, fuck him. Hits like a female dog. It’s personal now. He must die.

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UK Boxing

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul LIVE: UK kick-off time as Paul attacks and Tyson receives death threats

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Jake Paul talked about how boxing gave him purpose in life after dealing with his insecurities.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer was ridiculed for trying to turn pro, but the noise slowly died down after defeating former UFC fighters Nate Diaz and Anderson Silva.

Paul admitted that he has been on a journey to “heal” himself and says he doesn’t care if people bring up issues that make him insecure.

“When they say anything about me, it means that I have dealt with all my insecurities as a man. I looked at myself in the mirror and went on many spiritual, healing journeys,” he told The Independent.

“Not only do you suddenly have no insecurities, but I’ve dealt with them. So if someone brings it up, it’s like… I don’t care because I love myself.”

He added: “I need boxing. Boxing saved me. I was in a very murky place in my life.

“I lacked discipline, routine, community, passion and progress. Boxing gave me all that and I loved punching people and getting punched!

“I love the pace, the strategy, everything behind it. It’s art. Then there is preparation, content, press conferences and outfits. All this made me, to some extent, fall in love with boxing, where I need boxing every day to be able to function. I love this sport and that’s what it’s all about.”

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