OLYMPIC GAMES | BOXING
Who will Imane Khelif fight next? When is it, how to watch
The Algerian secured a controversial first round victory over Angela Carini, setting up a quarter-final bout in the women’s welterweight competition.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will return to the ring on Saturday for the quarter-final of the women’s welterweight competition. The Olympic boxer advanced after a first round victory over Italy’s Angela Carini on Thursday, in a fight that sparked controversy.
Khelif has a disorder of sex development (DSD), meaning that she was born as a woman but with elevated testosterone levels and, potentially, XY chromosomes. The International Boxing Association (IBA) decided not to allow her to compete in the women’s competition at the World Championships last year, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) did allow her entry to this summer’s Games.
She continues her Olympic journey on Saturday with a quarter-final bout against Luca Anna Hamori of Hungary at 17:22pm local time (11:22am ET / 8:22am PT) on Saturday, August 3. Hamori progressed after beating Australia’s Marissa Williamson in Thursday’s Round of 16 clash.
Watch Imane Khelif face Luca Anna Hamori at the Olympics live on fuboTV.
What did Imane Khelif’s next opponent say about the Algerian boxer?
Khelif’s victory has sparked a major debate around the Games, with some arguing that she possesses a physicality that gives her an unfair advantage in the women’s competition. But her next opponent, Hamori, has dismissed that talk and told reporters that she is relishing the fight.
“We didn’t spar or fight before. I don’t care about the stories or what is going on on social media right now, I just want to stay focused on myself,” Hamori said, when asked about the prospect of facing Khelif.
“I came here to get a medal from the Olympic Games. I don’t care about anything. I will go to the ring and I will get my win. I trust my coaches and I trust myself.
Hamori added that she had little sympathy with Carini’s decision to forfeit the first round bout. The Hungarian insisted that she would not do the same in her meeting with Khelif.
“It was her choice. I don’t understand. I thought every boxer’s mind is the same as mine, like they never give up, but it was her choice,” Hamori continued. “I know I won’t do this, never in my life.”