Eddie Hearn says he is open to promoting Olympic gender scandal boxer Imane Khelif

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn says he is open to promoting Olympic gender scandal boxer Imane Khelif - after Algerian fighter clinched gold at Paris Games

- Biological female cleared to fight against women despite World Champs ban
- The fighter spectacularly sealed gold with victory over China's Yang Liu in final
- Hearn would consider signing Khelif for her 'talent' and 'commercial' viability

Eddie Hearn has revealed that he is open to promoting boxer Imane Khelif despite the Algerian being at the centre of a gender row which dominated the Paris Olympics.

The biological female found herself embroiled in the fierce dispute this summer after being cleared to fight against women at the Games, despite being banned from last year's World Championships for allegedly failing a gender test.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her to compete in Paris after severing ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA) - which claims Khelif is a 'biological male' after disqualifying her from the Worlds.

And the fighter spectacularly sealed gold with victory over China's Yang Liu in the women's 66kg event having not lost a single round throughout the tournament.

Now top promoter Hearn has claimed he would consider offering Khelif a contract to join his roster at Matchroom Boxing and become a professional fighter, The Telegraph reports.

In response to a question about whether he would consider siging the boxer, Hearn told IFL TV: '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.

'Yes, I would, 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, you know, 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."'

The fallout surrounding Khelif's participation in the Olympics, along with that of fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting, prompted outcries of fury from the author JK Rowling and Elon Musk on social media, while Donald Trump also taunted the Algerian fighter.

Nabil Boudi, Khelif's Paris-based attorney, has since revealed they have now opened a lawsuit that has been filed to French authorities over comments made about her gender online. No individuals have been named as defendants in the lawsuit but a number of well-known celebrities have been referenced for their social media posts.

The 25-year-old Olympic champion revealed yesterday that she was 'hurt a lot' by intense scrutiny of her gender and questioned the intentions of those who she believes have harassed her.

'But 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.. this thing..... 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,' said the Algerian boxer.

'Honestly, I don't like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports. Sports and politics are two separate things. These politicians who are oppressing me, they don't have the right to say that I'm a transgender.

Khelif, who is not a transgender woman, allegedly has male 'XY chromosomes' - a point that was scrutinised on social media by those calling for her to not be allowed to fight at the Olympics.

Khelif's success in the women's 66kg category at the Paris Games was wildly celebrated by Algeria, with the boxer given the honour of carrying her nation's flag at the closing ceremony.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Good ol' Edward..

Always thinking about money.

[coneye]

Good ol' Edward..

Always thinking about money.

Yep just proving its all about the dollar with him , plus getting his own name out there

[keithmoonhangover]

I don't understand how you can ban a woman from competing in a women's event. She was born a woman with XX chromosomes.

[maverick23]

I don't understand how you can ban a woman from competing in a women's event. She was born a woman with XX chromosomes.

I think the jury is still out re: the XX chromosomes.

I listened to Eddie’s interview about it and he was right. They’d need to wait until everything has come out properly I.E. were IBA correct in banning her and then make an educated decision.

If what IBA say is correct, it sounds like she’s intersex so was born a woman, lived her life as a woman yet has partly the genetic build of a man.

Obviously that’s super rare but I can’t see one of the bigger promoters taking her on if that’s the case.

[jameswilson]

I don't understand how you can ban a woman from competing in a women's event. She was born a woman with XX chromosomes.

I didn’t read fully into the circumstances until after the gold medal had been won but from seeing people’s reactions and comments after the first few fights they were suggesting this was a trans person ie someone born a man now claiming to be a woman. Obviously that isn’t the case at all is it? As you say seemingly they may be intersex or something else is afoot where they are genuinely a woman but with some kind of anomaly where they create a lot more testosterone hence they failed some kind of gender test.


For the record I wouldn’t like to see them in the pro ring but I’d also want to understand more about the specifics of the controversy before I pass too many comments.

[Frostieballs]

I don't understand how you can ban a woman from competing in a women's event. She was born a woman with XX chromosomes.

I didn’t read fully into the circumstances until after the gold medal had been won but from seeing people’s reactions and comments after the first few fights they were suggesting this was a trans person ie someone born a man now claiming to be a woman. Obviously that isn’t the case at all is it? As you say seemingly they may be intersex or something else is afoot where they are genuinely a woman but with some kind of anomaly where they create a lot more testosterone hence they failed some kind of gender test.


For the record I wouldn’t like to see them in the pro ring but I’d also want to understand more about the specifics of the controversy before I pass too many comments.

Wow… a balanced, considered comment on the internet!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Imane Khelif turns professional just months after Olympics controversy

Paris 2024 gold medallist Imane Khelif captured the attention of the globe during her Olympic campaign earlier this year, ignoring the headlines that speculated her gender to achieve her dream. Now, just as the controversy surrounding Khelif’s name began to die down, the Algerian has announced that she will make the switch to the professional ranks.

Along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after failing her gender eligibility tests conducted by the IBA, who were recently removed as the governing body for the Olympic games, although the legitimacy of those ‘tests’ has come into question since.

Despite competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2022 World Championships, both Khelif and Lin were subject to relentless abuse throughout the summer as a consequence of the IBA’s presumed inconclusive and unreliable tests.

Yet, both Khelif and Lin fought through the fire and against the uproar to win their respective gold medals in the welterweight and featherweight categories.

After rumours that Khelif was stripped of her gold medal were confirmed as false, the 25-year-old held a press conference, revealing that she will be turning professional in the near-future and that she has plenty of promotional offers, as per The Sun.

“I would like to hold a press conference today to share with you my success story with the media family and young women who watch me.

“There is a documentary being prepared about my success story and it will be shown on international platforms.

“I will soon enter the world of professional boxing, I have many offers.

“Currently, I have not made up my mind about where I will enter professional boxing.

“But very soon I will take this step, we as Algerians would like to see our level in the field of professionalism.”

As well as her Paris 2024 gold, Khelif also boasts a silver medal from the 2022 World Championships, as well as numerous other gold medals from various other amateur competitions.

After such a dominant performance throughout Paris 2024, Khelif is likely to prove to be a threat in the professional game and is sure to become one of the most recognised names in the world of women’s boxing.

[SeanBrennan]

good luck to her. Good boxer

[Ezzard]

Imane Khelif turns professional just months after Olympics controversy

Paris 2024 gold medallist Imane Khelif captured the attention of the globe during her Olympic campaign earlier this year, ignoring the headlines that speculated her gender to achieve her dream. Now, just as the controversy surrounding Khelif’s name began to die down, the Algerian has announced that she will make the switch to the professional ranks.

Along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after failing her gender eligibility tests conducted by the IBA, who were recently removed as the governing body for the Olympic games, although the legitimacy of those ‘tests’ has come into question since.

Despite competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2022 World Championships, both Khelif and Lin were subject to relentless abuse throughout the summer as a consequence of the IBA’s presumed inconclusive and unreliable tests.

Yet, both Khelif and Lin fought through the fire and against the uproar to win their respective gold medals in the welterweight and featherweight categories.

After rumours that Khelif was stripped of her gold medal were confirmed as false, the 25-year-old held a press conference, revealing that she will be turning professional in the near-future and that she has plenty of promotional offers, as per The Sun.

“I would like to hold a press conference today to share with you my success story with the media family and young women who watch me.

“There is a documentary being prepared about my success story and it will be shown on international platforms.

“I will soon enter the world of professional boxing, I have many offers.

“Currently, I have not made up my mind about where I will enter professional boxing.

“But very soon I will take this step, we as Algerians would like to see our level in the field of professionalism.”

As well as her Paris 2024 gold, Khelif also boasts a silver medal from the 2022 World Championships, as well as numerous other gold medals from various other amateur competitions.

After such a dominant performance throughout Paris 2024, Khelif is likely to prove to be a threat in the professional game and is sure to become one of the most recognised names in the world of women’s boxing.

Propaganda

[Coco]

Shalom has the strongest women's stable

[keithmoonhangover]

good luck to her. Good boxer

[samwbr]

A report in France claiming to have seen the test results that confirm the suspicions of male chromosomes and genitalia. Not sure how legit that is.

[margaret thatcher]

where is that? cant see anything

[joshj909]

A report in France claiming to have seen the test results that confirm the suspicions of male chromosomes and genitalia. Not sure how legit that is.

Got a link? Can't find anything that suggests that. Also with this topic, I would triple check the source to assess trustworthiness and bias.

[Ruthless-RKO]

A report in France claiming to have seen the test results that confirm the suspicions of male chromosomes and genitalia. Not sure how legit that is.

Got a link? Can't find anything that suggests that. Also with this topic, I would triple check the source to assess trustworthiness and bias.

Yeh, theres been a lot off bullshit and hearsay on this matter without any real proof.

[margaret thatcher]

lol check out the message and photo posted on the iba website for their president. so weird . big dear leader vibes.

Dear President,

On behalf of the whole IBA Family, let us congratulate you on your Birthday.

We are thrilled to be in your team and work tirelessly shoulder-to-shoulder to deliver the best for the boxers, coaches and National Federations around the globe. You are a wise, strong and caring leader, the one our Boxing Family admires and values. Your contribution to thousands of lives left a huge blueprint in this universe.

Keep being a lodestar for us, and let your sky always be blue and cloudless. We wish you good health, positive energy, and many more achievements to come!

Sincerely,
Your IBA Family

[samwbr]

A report in France claiming to have seen the test results that confirm the suspicions of male chromosomes and genitalia. Not sure how legit that is.

Got a link? Can't find anything that suggests that. Also with this topic, I would triple check the source to assess trustworthiness and bias.

That's why I mentioned it's legitimacy

[Steveh583]

reading that she/he has "internal testicles" and no uterus. if that is the case then the gold needs to be reevaluated

[joshj909]

reading that she/he has "internal testicles" and no uterus. if that is the case then the gold needs to be reevaluated

Reading where?

[coneye]

Yes i read that has well , one i read was quite a good article it explained a lot about the condition , how popping out with a fanny it would be perfectly normal and especielly in them countrys to look and say girl , but upon further testing for whatever reason , you find there meat and 2 veg are actually inside and very small , , , but still producing male stuff enough so she can be classed a male.

All a bit sad really and not nice for her to be ridiculed , but then again its not fair on the other women boxers , , But myself personaly , i think now its come out , its probably a good excuse to get rid of womens boxing stating safety cannot be guaranteed .

Oh can't remember where i seen it probably on here somewhere

[Twinkle Toes]

https://lecorrespondant.net/imane-kheli ... esticules/

[jameswilson]

It does sound like a hihgly unique case, probably similar to Caster Semanya and going way way back an athlete in the 1930s called Stella Walsh (not her real name.) Walsh was Polish and basically was bodying everyone in a multitude of athletics events at the Olympics to such a point that her gender was questioned. It was obviously way before the times of steroids. When she died (she actually was killed) it was found she was intersex so had no determinate gender, basically had both sets of genitals but very very small to such a point neither sets of genitals are of any reproductive use but creates a small amount of testosterone to be athletically superior to the average woman. I haven't looked into Caster Semanya's situation in enormous detail but believe she also has some kind of intersex condition so I get the feeling that Khelif may well be similar if these reports above are true.

[johninmanchester]

Shalom has the strongest women's stable

Great investment that was. All of them on the missing list as he overpaid for fighters who generate zero revenue and now seemingly too expensive to put on cards.

I don't know why you'd even go all in on women's boxing when all the evidence from the mass fanbase says the opposite. Most fans would be happy to see it go away completely.

[joshj909]

https://lecorrespondant.net/imane-kheli ... esticules/

That article is absolutely bizarre starts off with the medical details which may be true but then goes on a bizarre tangent framing Image Khelif as a super villain with unchecked powers.