Imane Khelif’s next opponent breaks silence on facing the Algerian boxer after she beat Italian rival in 46 seconds amid gender row

Imane Khelif’s next opponent is looking forward to taking on the Algerian boxer in the women’s boxing event at the Olympic Games.

On Thursday, Khelif controversially forced Italy’s Angela Carini to retire after 46 seconds in their preliminary round, with the Algerian at the centre of a storm of controversy over the suitability of the playing field.

However, Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori remains unperturbed as she prepares to face Khelif in the women’s welterweight quarter-finals on Saturday.

“I’m not afraid,” Hamori told reporters. “I don’t care about the press release and the social media. If he or she is a man, it’s a bigger victory for me if I win.”

Khelif’s participation quickly drew negative attention after she was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships. According to the IOC, she was disqualified because “her elevated testosterone levels did not meet the eligibility criteria.”

Khelif will face Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori in the women’s welterweight quarterfinals

Despite this, an IOC spokesperson declared that Khelif is eligible to compete in the Olympics because her passport indicates she is a woman. As a result, fans screamed bloody murder, calling her a “trans woman” and saying she should not compete in the women’s division.

“Everyone who competes in the women’s category is adhering to the rules of participation in the competition,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Tuesday. “They are women in their passports and that is what it says, that they are women.”

It was later reported that Khelif is a biological female who suffers from a rare condition categorized under differences of sex development (DSD) or intersex conditions. DSD or intersex cases can result in female individuals with male chromosomes or anatomy.

Khelif is coming off a controversial win over Italy’s Angela Carini in the preliminary round

Carini withdrew from the race less than a minute into the opening round on Thursday

The Italian claimed she withdrew due to the power of Khelif’s punches

Still, Hamori decides to ignore the noise and turn off her phone, mentally preparing herself for Saturday.

“I try not to use my phone before the game,” Hamori said. “I don’t want to worry about the reactions or the story or the news. I just want to focus on myself. I did it for my last two games, so I think that’s the key, and we’ll see.”

Hamori convincingly defeated Australian Marissa Williamson Pohlman in her last fight.

Meanwhile, Khelif is going to face off after having fought Carini without too much trouble. According to her, the Algerian’s punches were the hardest she has ever received.

“I’m used to suffering,” the Italian claimed after retiring from the race. “I’ve never had a blow like that, it’s impossible to continue. I’m not one to say it’s illegal.

Hamori questioned Carini’s decision to retire as she prepares to face the Algerian boxer

Hamori convincingly defeated Australian Marissa Williamson Pohlman in her last fight

“I stepped into the ring to fight. But after the first minute I didn’t feel like it anymore. I started to feel a severe pain in my nose. I didn’t give up, but one punch hurt too much and so I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high.”

Hamori was undeterred by the challenge and wondered why Carini had withdrawn from the fight.

“It was her choice,” Hamori said. “I don’t understand it because I thought that the spirit of every boxer is the same as mine, never to give up. But it was her choice. We don’t know what the reason was. It’s her life, but I know that I want to do this in my own life.”