Russian boxer challenges Imane Khelif ahead of Olympic boxing final

Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who was at the centre of a controversy during the 2024 Olympics, has been publicly challenged by Azalia Amineva, a Russian boxer.

Amineva defeated Khelif at the 2023 International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships, after Khelif was disqualified for failing a series of tests.

Khelif, who is preparing to fight for the gold medal on Friday, received a provocative message from Amineva on social media. The Russian asked her for a rematch, reminding her of her defeat at the world championships.

“Hey Imane Khelif, don’t you think there is too much unjustified hype around you? Remember when we boxed at the 2023 World Championships in India, when I beat you? Well, I am ready to replay that moment and send you down again to answer for all the girls whose lives you have made miserable,” Amineva wrote on her social media, in a clearly defiant tone.

However, there is a catch in Amineva’s words. In reality, Khelif won the fight in the round of 16 of the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. But, because she did not pass the gender tests set by the boxing federation, her victory was annulled and recorded as a loss.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been clear about Khelif’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics. According to the IOC, Khelif qualified legitimately and they have criticised the testing standards of the International Boxing Association, a body that has been completely banned from the Olympics.

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