IBA to Award Imane Khelif’s Opponent Angela Carini Olympic Medalist-Esque Prize Money

At the North Paris Arena, Imane Khelif will face her next opponent in the quarterfinals later today. The Algerian boxer has been much in the news, especially after her round-of-16 victory over Italian Angela Carini on August 1. Following her triumph, ‘gender identity’ questions soon became a talking point across the board. Understandably, much of the focus has stayed on Khelif. But what about her opponent, Angela Carini? How have the days been for her, especially the last few?

Different news seems to be emerging about the Naples-born light welterweight boxer. A police officer back home, Carini joined her country’s Olympics team on the backs of an impressive amateur record, which includes silver medals at the European and world championships. Facing criticism for their decision to allow boxers who were previously disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for failing to clear their gender eligibility’ tests, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released an official statement regarding their decision. Meanwhile, IBA, it seems, has made its next move.

Beyond the ring: Angela Carini after the setback

Through its official handle, the IBA shared a tweet. It updated that the organization will ‘award’ Angela Carini. “IBA will award Angela Carini, who abandoned the fight against Algeria’s Imane Khelif at Paris 2024 Games after 46 seconds of the first round, the IBA prize money as if she were an Olympic champion, President Umar Kremlev claimed,” the post read.

It was on Thursday that the seven-time Italian national champion faced Imane Khelif. The fight was literally over by the time it started. The Algerian boxer’s initial blow knocked Carini’s chinstrap loose. A second punch followed. It struck her nose. The police athlete’s shorts were bloodstained. Angela Carini endured a series of punches. But eventually, she returned to her corner. Subsequent sequences saw her raising her hands and collapsing to her knees in tears. Overcome by emotion, she even declined to shake Khelif’s hand when the latter was announced as the victor.

The debate over the admission of Imane Khelif continues. Parallel coverage saw reports on her original ‘gender identity’ as a female. But while the questions and counters continue, a spurt of support for Angela Carini seems to have emerged. So much so that the boxing world saw Jake Paul jumping into the fray, offering the Italian boxer a place in one of his MVP cards.

Regretfully; No Do-Overs

In the latest development, citing an update from a leading sports daily from Italy, ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’, Michael Benson shared a tweet. It suggested that Angela Carini seems to have offered apologies to Imane Khelif. Given the way she reacted after the loss, Carini reportedly said, “All this controversy makes me sad. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision… I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”

Both the IOC and the IBA came with their statements. The controversy has already witnessed strong reactions from several well-known names. Boxing’s own Oscar De La Hoya dedicated a full episode of his ‘Thursday Clapback’ on the matter. An Olympic gold medalist, the scandal enraged De La Hoya to such an extent that he even declared sending a petition to the IOC to prevent such instances: ‘biological men competing against biological women’; from happening at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

What is your take on IBA’s latest decision to reward Angela Carini?