Italian boxer who lost to Imane Khelif set to receive compensation prize money from IBA

The International Boxing Association (IBA) will award prize money equivalent to an Olympic champion to the Italian boxer who lost to Algerian ‘failed gender test’ fighter Imane Khelif, the IBA president has confirmed.

Angela Carini withdrew from her Olympic women’s welterweight fight against Khelif in tears, just 46 seconds after being punched with two strong blows.

The Italian later revealed that her decision to abandon the fight was necessary to ‘preserve my life’, after explaining how she had ‘never felt a punch’ like the one Khelif inflicted.

Her opponent’s participation in the games has been a source of contention since she was disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships last year, and her victory on Thursday created more controversy, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) subsequently defending her right to compete.

Persecondnews reports that the IBA, which banned Khelif and fellow ‘failed gender test’ fighter Lin Yu Ting from the championships, has revealed they will pay Carini the top level of prize money despite a first-round defeat.

“I couldn’t look at her tears,” IBA president Umar Kremlev said.

“I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer. I do not understand why they kill women’s boxing. Only eligible athletes should compete in the ring for the sake of safety.”

Kremlev added that his organisation will also ‘support’ Uzbekistani fighter Sitora Turdibekova after she unanimously lost to Lin yesterday.

Since the fight, Carini has joined those expressing sympathy towards Khelif and admitted she had some regrets about how she acted after the fight, which included her refusing to shake hands with her opponent.

“All this controversy makes me sad,” she told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.

“I would embrace her if I met her again.”
Khelif punched Carini twice in the opening round of their women’s welterweight bout in Paris.

The blows appeared to knock off the Italian boxer’s chin strap, causing the fighter to move over to her corner.

Carini returned to the centre of the ring and abandoned the bout, leading to Khelif being declared the winner.