Brianda Tamara reflects on facing Imane Khelif in 2022 bout: "Thank God that day I got out of the ring safely"

Brianda Tamara has spoken about the time she faced Imane Khelif in a boxing ring. Khelif is at the center of controversy after being allowed to compete in the ongoing Olympics in the women’s category despite reportedly failing an International Boxing Association (IBA) gender test in March 2023.

While the IBA's test is not acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who categorically refute the claims that Khelif has male XY chromosomes, Khelif's participation in the event is a hot topic.

Kamara sustained severe head trauma during her 2022 bout with Khelif, which was eventually stopped in the third round. The Mexican boxer said:

"I don’t think I had ever felt like that in my 13 years as a boxer, nor in my sparring with men. When I fought her I felt very out of my depth... Her blows hurt me a lot. Thank God that day I got out of the ring safely, and it’s good that they finally realized." [H/t: The Telegraph]

Khelif is now set to compete at the Paris Olympics, a decision that has sparked intense controversy. While the IOC has cleared her to participate, the IBA disqualified her from last year’s world championships. The organization stated that she had "failed to meet eligibility rules, following a test conducted by an independent laboratory.”

At the time of Khelif's disqualification, IBA president Umar Kremlev accused certain athletes of attempting to "fool their colleagues and pretend to be women." However, the organization has since been stripped of its Olympic boxing responsibilities, with the IOC adopting more lenient eligibility rules.

Critics, including former world champion Barry McGuigan, have expressed shock at Khelif's inclusion in the Olympics.

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Women combat sports stars react to Imane Khelif’s inclusion in the Olympics

The decision to allow Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting to compete against female boxers at the Paris Olympics has ignited a firestorm of criticism from top women stars in combat sports. Claressa Shields and Cris Cyborg, two of fighting's most prominent figures, have vehemently condemned the decision, raising concerns about fairness and the integrity of women's sports.

In a social media post, Shields wrote:

“So they got men fighting against women in the Olympics @Olympics boxing! I wouldn't have stood for no stuff like that! That is so heartbreaking to the women who have to have their dreams ruined by a man. Sad asf!”

Cyborg also chimed in on the matter, writing:

“We must protect the integrity of women’s sports. I would not compete.”