Imane Khelif’s Next Opponent Is Already Speaking Out Ahead Of Her Controversial Quarterfinals Bout vs. The Algerian Boxer

Imane Khelif and Anna Luca Hamori (Photos via Getty Images)
Imane Khelif of Algeria won her opening Olympic boxing bout when opponent Angela Carini of Italy quit after taking two powerful punches after just 46 seconds of action.

Controversy erupted after it was incorrectly reported online that Imane might be transgender — after she was disqualified from the women’s World Championships in New Delhi for failing a gender eligibility test.

At the same tournament, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was also disqualified for failing to meet the gender eligibility criteria as well.

Despite the controversy, Imane will move on to face her next opponent.

Unlike Angela Carini, Anna Luca Hamori does not seem afraid to fight Khelif following the Algerian’s controversial opener.

Hamori, Hungary’s first Olympic boxer, has now given her thoughts on her upcoming quarterfinal opponent.

The 23-year-old has stressed that she is solely focused on her own performance and refuses to be distracted by the major backlash coming to Imane Khelif over her gender.

She told reporters: “I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.

“If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win.”

Hamori added: “I’m trying to not use my phone before the fight.

“I don’t want to care about the comments or the story or the news. I just want to stay focused on myself.

“I did it before my last two fights, so I think this is the key, and we will see.”

Hamori made it cleear that she is jumping in the ring to fight and has zero plans to stop it early.

“It was her [Carini’s] choice,” Hamori said. “I don’t understand, because I thought every boxer’s mind is the same like mine, to never give up.

“But it was her choice. We don’t know what was the reason. It’s her life, but I know I want to do this in my own life.”