Boxer Angela Carini from Italy was disqualified after abandoning her Round of 16 bout against Algerian Imane Khelif in the women’s 66kg fight at the Paris Olympics. Carini stopped the fight after 46 seconds, following a punch to the face within the first 30 seconds.

Khelif, who was one of two boxers disqualified from last year’s women’s world championships due to elevated testosterone levels, continued as Carini went to her corner for her coach to fix her headgear. After briefly resuming, Carini returned to her corner again and stopped the fight.

As the referee raised Khelif’s arm, Carini could be heard on camera saying, “It’s not right.” She was in tears in the ring and faced the media after the bout.

“I wasn’t able to finish the match. I felt a strong pain in my nose, and I said to myself, with the experience and maturity I have as a woman, I hope my nation won’t take it badly, I hope my dad won’t take it badly – but I stopped for myself,” Carini told BBC Sport. “It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life 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,” she added.

Carini wished Khelif well, saying, “I wish her 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 judgments.”

Khelif, who has lost nine times during her 50-fight career, told BBC Sport, “I’m here for the gold – I fight everybody.”

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