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Eddie Hearn has made it clear he’s open to offering Imane Khelif a professional contract in the wake of her gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old’s gender was called into question during the games but she still beat four opponents on her way to the top of the podium.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Khelif to compete in Paris, despite the International Boxing Association saying she’d failed a gender eligibility test at the World Boxing Championships last year.
Khelif has regularly stated that she was born female and has been raised female as well.
Boxing news: Imane Khelif recently caused controversy as she won gold at the Paris Olympics
REUTERS
With boxing currently frozen for the next Olympics in 2028, it’s unclear what the future holds for the 25-year-old.
Yet Hearn, speaking to IFL TV, has said he’s open to offering Khelif a professional contract providing all rumours are put to bed.
“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,” he said.
“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.
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“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.’”
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Khelif has been criticised by the likes of Elon Musk and JK Rowling in recent weeks.
Yet she’s filed a lawsuit against the pair, with the Algerian furious at how she’s been perceived online.
Khelif, speaking to El Birad, also says Donald Trump’s comments about her being a ‘man’ affected her – while thanking people in her home country for their unwavering support.
“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 said.
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Boxing news: Eddie Hearn has revealed he’s open to giving Imane Khelif a professional contract
REUTERS
“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.
Boxing news: Imane Khelif has taken aim at people for criticising her on social media following her gold medal at the Paris Olympics
REUTERS
“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.”
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