BOXING
Boxing

Eddie Hearn on Imane Khelif: I would sign her up if...

The boxing promoter is open to the idea of g up the Olympian

Imane Khelif
Imane KhelifLAPRESSE
Actualizado

One of the biggest talking points of the Paris Olympic Games this summer was surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold in the women's category after being cleared to fight despite being banned from last year's World Championships for allegedly failing a gender test.

Despite Khelif coming out and declaring that she was assigned female at birth as well as the International Olympic Committee firmly backing her, a debate still roles on as to whether it was fair for her to compete in the women's section.

Imane Khelif's training session amidst controversy over 46-second Olympic bout

Legendary boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has now stated that he would have no problem g her up to a deal if her status was clarified once and for all.

"Yes, if the facts were laid out and it was in a position where there is no reason why this individual shouldn't compete as a female," Hearn told IFL TV

"Yes, I would (sign her up), commercially. One, she is a talented fighter. Two, commercially I think she has up to two Instagram million followers, up from 30,000, so the answer is yes.

"But there is probably facts that we don't know are true around the situation. But if a fighter was deemed female with no physical advantages, but again we hear about X/Y chromosomes, and I haven't seen anything, I've just seen someone say: 'We've done this test'.

"Do we get to see it? Or are we just going to believe that narrative? It's not ever one that I'd ever go: 'I'm not getting involved in this conversation. It's a topical conversation'."

Khelif affected by doubters

With the uproar that has been caused around this debate, Khelif itted that she has been "hurt a lot" by her doubters, which include some big global figures.

"Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world, and even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump... that affected me," she told El Birad.

"I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can't describe to you the amount of fear I had.

"The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will..."

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