Italian Boxer Apologizes to Algeria's Imane Khelif After Latest Controversy

On Friday, Italian Boxer Angela Carini apologized to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif for not shaking her after yesterday's fight that went viral on social media. 

Carini said she wasn’t making a political statement about Khelif, who was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after failing a gender eligibility test, and her presence at the Paris Games has become a controversial issue.

“My face and nose were hurting,” Carini said, according to the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“I couldn’t breathe anymore. I thought about my family, I looked at my brother in the stands and I went to my corner to retire. … I’ve never been hit with such a powerful punch.”

Regarding his issue with Khelif, she said: “All this controversy makes me sad,” adding: “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. … If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”

“It wasn’t something I intended to do,” Carini described. 

“Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her.”