Olympic boxer Angela Carini abandons fight 46 seconds into bout saying "I hope my dad won't take it badly"

An Olympic boxer, Angela Carini, abandoned her bout against Imane Khelif after just 46 seconds in the first round of the fight, citing damage to her nose.

Carini’s opponent, Khelif, has been at the centre of gender controversy in the Euros. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did not allow her to compete in the 2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships due to elevated levels of testosterone. She has, however, been cleared to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After a brief exchange in the middle of the ring, where Khelif landed a shot to Carini’s face, the Italian retreated to the corner to have her headguard adjusted by her team.

When the two fighters re-engaged after this brief interval, Khelif took control of the proceedings, landing multiple damaging shots to the head and nose of Carini. Following this, Carini left the ring and forfeited the contest.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the bout, Carini said: “I wasn't able to finish the match, I felt a strong pain to my nose and I said [to myself] for the experience that I have and the maturity as a woman that I have, I said I hope my nation won't take it badly, I hope my dad won't take it badly - but I stopped, I said stop for myself. "It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment.

“I didn't have fear, I don't fear the ring. I don't fear taking the blows. But this time there's an end for everything, and I put an end to this match, because I wasn't able to [continue]. I wish [Khelif] to carry on until the end and that she can be happy. I am someone who doesn't judge anyone. I am not here to give judgements.”