"Men should not be boxing women" - Israel Adesanya voices concerns about gender eligibility at 2024 Paris Olympics after Imane Khelif controversy
Israel Adesanya has weighed in on the debate surrounding gender and fairness in women's boxing, predominantly in relation to Algeria's Imane Khelif. 'The Last Stylebender' took to X to express outrage over Khelif taking part in the women's boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The former UFC middleweight champion shared a clip of Khelif boxing, while referring to her as a man, and alleged that the Olympics is more concerned with politics than the safety of the athletes competing in Paris. Moreover, he poked fun at Khelif's inability to finish her opponent in the aforementioned clip. He wrote:
"Men should not be boxing women. Lol he couldn't even finish her. Anyway, People > politics."
For context, in 2023 Khelif was disqualified from the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships after failing a gender verification test. Moreover, IBA president Umar Kremlev poured additional fuel to the fire. He alleged that a DNA test yielded results that proved Khelif had XY chromosomes, which are only (usually) possessed by biological males.
However, this alleged DNA test has never been confirmed, nor have its supposed results ever been published.
This year, the IBA stated that Khelif had not been subjected to testosterone examination tests, and had undergone a different, but recognized, test. Unfortunately, the details of said test have never been disclosed either, further fueling speculation surrounding Khelif.
Additionally, concerns over the IBA's governance led to its removal as the governing body for Olympic boxing. It has since been replaced by the IOC, which has different eligibility standards, clearing Khelif and others like her to compete. The decision, though, has courted controversy.
Israel Adesanya's tweet comes in the wake of Imane Khelif's first win at the Olympics
The timing of Israel Adesanya's tweet was no coincidence. It was posted in the immediate aftermath of Imane Khelif's controversial first-round win over Italy's Angela Carini at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After eating two punches, the Italian withdrew from the boxing match in tears.
She removed her headgear, all while declaring the bout unjust, before refusing Khelif's offered handshake in a scene that is sure to go viral on the internet, as more controversy arises.
Check out this clip from the Imane Khelif vs. Angela Carini bout here: