"#IStandWithAngelaCarini" trends No.1 following controversial boxing bout between the Italian boxer and Imane Khelif at Paris Olympics

#IStandwithAngelaCarini is trending on X following the Italian boxer's controversial bout against Algeria's Imane Khelif. The bout lasted only 46 seconds with Carini abandoning after a few hard punches from Khelif.

Khelif is one of the two boxers allowed to compete in the Olympics after failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests ahead of the women's world championships last year. After a few punches from Khelif, Carini returned to her corner and abandoned the bout.

Khelif was declared the winner and Carini broke down as her Olympic hopes were shattered. She was among the medal contenders for the Paris Olympics 2024. Carini refused to shake Khelif's hand at the end of the bout.

Users on X have since been reacting to the incident and here are some of the posts on the matter:

Angela Carini reacted to the fight, telling the media following the loss (via The Guardian):

"I am heartbroken. I went to the ring to honor my father. I was told a lot of times that I was a warrior but I preferred to stop for my health. I have never felt a punch like this."

The Neapolitan added that the second punch to the nose was enough for her to abandon the fight. She added that regardless of the outcome, her head is held high as anyone stepping into the ring should have.

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Imane Khelif reacts to win against Angela Carini

Angela Carini claimed that she never thought about pulling out of her fight against Imane Khelif. She claimed she has a warrior spirit and that she was convinced she could win the contest.

Khelif, meanwhile, expressed gold medal aspirations following her controversial win against Angela Carini. The Algerian boxer said after the fight (via The Guardian):

"I am here for gold. I will fight anybody, I will fight them all."

Carini, meanwhile, refused to make any comment surrounding the controversy. She claimed she is not the right person to comment on the matter.