The boxing event at the Paris Olympics has erupted into a full-blown circus! Algerian fighter Imane Khelif is in the eye of the storm. In a bout that barely got off the ground, Khelif delivered a knockout punch to Italy’s Angela Carini in just 46 seconds on July 1. The final knockout punch right to Carini’s face has only added fuel to the fire of the controversy surrounding Khelif’s gender. What started as a routine match has now turned into a media frenzy, with Khelif caught in the crosshairs of a tempestuous debate.

After the match, Carini claimed she’d never been hit as hard. The uproar began when it emerged that Khelif had failed a gender test at last year’s World Championships but still competed in the Olympics. Amidst all this controversy, Logan Paul also chimed in!

The Paul Brothers’ controversial claims

Logan Paul, an American social media influencer, professional wrestler, YouTuber, entrepreneur, and actor, along with his brother Jake Paul, also a YouTuber, actor, and professional boxer, jumped on the bandwagon, making accusations about Imane Khelif. After Carini exited the game following strikes from Khelif, social media was abuzz with allegations that Khelif was transgender and born male.

Logan Paul, in a now-deleted post on X, labeled the situation “the purest form of evil,” accusing Khelif of unfairly crushing Carini’s dream. In Paul’s words, “A man was allowed to beat up a woman on a global stage, crushing her life’s dream while fighting for her deceased father. This delusion must end.”

Despite these claims, Khelif has been identified as a cis woman since birth, a fact reflected in her passport, which aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s criteria for participating in women’s events. Over the years, she has competed in numerous women’s competitions, including representing Algeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she was eliminated in the quarterfinals. But then it was time for Paul to face backlash. And then Logan Paul admitted to spreading misinformation, posting an “OOPSIES” message, and acknowledging his error.

He reiterated his stance on gender in sports, stating, “I stand by my sentiment that biological men should not compete against biological women in any sport, and if you disagree you’re a sick f***.” Jake Paul, meanwhile, has not retracted his previous statements, calling the match “sickening” and “a travesty” and even inviting Carini to fight at one of their boxing events. Now the question is why Khelif, who was banned by the IBA, was still able to compete in the Paris Olympics.

Imane Khelif’s Olympic triumph amidst disputes and defenses

Imane Khelif, an accomplished amateur who clinched a silver medal at the International Boxing Association’s 2022 World Championships, faced a significant challenge when she was disqualified from the 2023 championships due to alleged elevated testosterone levels. Khelif didn’t let this obstacle stop her. She participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics because the IBA, which had been barred from the Olympics since 2019, couldn’t determine her eligibility.

On August 1, Khelif decisively defeated Angela Carini in a women’s welterweight bout, with Carini withdrawing after just 46 seconds. Angela Carini received her first punch within 30 seconds of the fight’s start and briefly stepped away to adjust her headgear. Then she came back to the ring. Carini soon withdrew and broke down in tears because the second punch was something that she could not tolerate as it was too painful.

Her coach later told Sky Sports, “She felt pain in her nose and said, ‘I don’t want to fight anymore.‘” After the match and ensuing debate, Algeria’s Olympic Committee stepped in to fiercely defend Imane Khelif against baseless accusations. They asserted that these attacks were a significant distraction from Khelif’s Olympic goals. The COA condemned the “unethical targeting” and “baseless propaganda” aimed at Khelif, emphasizing that such attacks are deeply unfair as she pursues success on the world stage. What are your views on this situation?