I would like to apologize to Italian fighter Carini Khelif.
One person who claimed to have "never been hit with such a powerful punch" is Angela Carini (right).
Italian boxer Angela Carini claims she "wants to apologise" to her opponent for how she handled the moments following the battle. Angela Carini pulled out of her Olympic match opposite Imane Khelif of Algeria in 46 seconds.
Khelif was disqualified from the Women's World Championships last year for not meeting eligibility requirements, but she is one of two athletes who have been authorized to compete in the women's boxing in Paris.
Due to controversy surrounding the 25-year-old's participation in the Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had to stand up for her right to compete.
Carini told Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian daily, "All this controversy makes me sad."
"I also apologize to my rival. I respect the IOC's decision if it states that she may fight."
Carini, a 25-year-old, acknowledged that giving up the battle had been a responsible move, but she regretted not exchanging hands with Khelif afterward.
Carini stated, "It wasn't something I intended to do." "I want to apologize to her and to everybody, actually. I was upset since I had failed miserably at the Olympics." She went on to say she would "embrace her" if she ever saw Khelif again.
