Skye Nicholson has fought and sparred both of the girls, so she has every right to come out and say this.

Imane Khelif and Angela Carini during their Olympic bout. Image: Getty

Skye Nicholson has launched a passionate defence of Imane Khelif following her controversial bout against Angela Carini at the 2024 Olympics.

Klelif booked her spot in the next round of the competition after Carini pulled out of their contest just 46 seconds into the match.

Her involvement in Paris has sparked huge debate over whether she should be able to compete at the Games in Paris.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) are set to award the Italian with Olympic champion prize money despite her defeat.

Imane Khelif and Angela Carini during their Olympic bout. Image: Getty
Imane Khelif and Angela Carini during their Olympic bout. Image: Getty

Nicolson, who turned professional with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has jumped to the defence of Khelif amid intense scrutiny.

The Australian boxer called out Carini’s ‘publicity stunt’ as she defended the Algerian’s participation at this summer’s Olympics.

On social media, she said: “I’ve actually fought and sparred both of the girls. They were born female. They were born with an XY chromosome, which is the male chromosome, but they were born with female bodies, they have the physical attributes of a female.

“They have grown up as girls, as females, as women. They have competed as women the whole time. These are not naturally born men who have decided to call themselves women or identify as women to fight women in the Olympics.

“And while it is a bit of a grey area, I think the abuse and the power of the media, and people just jumping on the bandwagon without knowing all the details, is honestly horrible.

“These girls have represented their country on numerous occasions for many, many years now as female fighters, and they do not deserve this mistreatment. I think they have been so unfortunate to even be in the situation that they’re in and to get all this scrutiny as well.”

The 28-year-old, who’s the WBC women’s featherweight world champion, added: “I feel like the thing that happened with the Italian girl was a publicity stunt more than anything.

“I just think people really need to, like, look at the facts and stop jumping on the bandwagon. Be a lion, not a sheep.”

Featured Image Credit: Sky Nicolson/Getty

Boxing organisation award Angela Carini prize money despite abandoning Olympic fight vs Imane Khelif after 46 seconds

Boxing organisation award Angela Carini prize money despite abandoning Olympic fight vs Imane Khelif after 46 seconds

The International Boxing Association is to award Angela Carini with Olympic champion prize money.

International Boxing Association (IBA) is set to award Angel Carini the prize money as if she were an Olympic champion.

Carini abandoned her bout against Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the clash on Thursday, sparking huge debate over whether the Algerian boxer should be allowed to compete at the 2024 Olympics.

The Italian said she had withdrawn from the contest due to being punched harder than she had even been hit in her career.

Khelif – like Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting – was banned by the IBA for failing gender eligibility tests, but has been allowed to compete in Paris, which are run by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Despite Carini pulling out of her match against Khelif, the IBA is to award her with Olympic champion prize money.

IBA president Umar Kremlev said: “I couldn’t look at her tears.

“I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer.”

He added: I do not understand why they kill women’s boxing. Only eligible athletes should compete in the ring for the sake of safety.”

Imane Khelif and Angela Carini during their Olympic bout. Image: Getty
Imane Khelif and Angela Carini during their Olympic bout. Image: Getty

All gold medalists will receive prize money of $100,000, with the athlete bagging $50,000, their National Federation receiving $25,000 and their coach picking up $25,000.

All silver medalists will receive prize money of $50,000, with the athlete receiving £25,000 while all bronze medalists will earn $25,000, with the athlete receiving $12,500.

Speaking after her fight with Khelif, Carini expressed her regret at not shaking hands with her opponent.

“All this controversy makes me sad,” she said.

“I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”

The 25-year-old added: “It wasn’t something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty