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Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on intersex Olympic boxer: ‘Political wokeness’

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on Intersex Olympic boxer "political wokeness" Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif…

Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif after her knockout win over Italian opponent, Angela Carani overnight, after just 46 seconds – claiming the former’s presence in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris is a surefire point to “political wokeness”.

Khelif, who has been the subject of much-scrutiny across social media this week, made her return to the Olympics this week in a matchup against Italian fighter, Carani – scoring a first round TKO win after just 46-seconds, with the latter turning her back and signalling to her corner she would not be competing further.

Disqualified from World Championship competition last year after failing a gender test, Khelif’s inclusion amongst fellow female competition was confirmed by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) – who confirmed the Algerian was eligible to compete despite criticizm.

“All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulatons in accordance with rules 1.4 and 3.1 of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit,” A statement from the International Olympic Committee read.

“The BU endeavored to restrict amendments to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic games.”

Sean Strickland hits out at boxer, Imane Khelif

Posting a video on his official X account hitting out at Khelif’s inclusion amongst female boxing peers, Strickland blasted the Olympics as “politically woke”.

Despite failing gender tests, two boxers allowed to compete in Paris Olympics

“Here’s the facts,” Sean Strickland wrote. “The Olympics didn’t test this boxer (Imane Khelif) for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness.”

Here's the facts. The Olympics didn't test this boxer for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex.. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness. pic.twitter.com/c5fRqGyiny

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 1, 2024

Khelif is scheduled to return to the ring tomorrow in a quarter final bracket, taking on Hungarian boxer, Luca Hamoni at the welterweight limit.

What are your thoughts on Imane Khelif’s competing at the Olympic Games?

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on intersex Olympic boxer: ‘Political wokeness’

Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif…

“The BU endeavored to restrict amendments to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic games.”

Sean Strickland hits out at boxer, Imane Khelif

Posting a video on his official X account hitting out at Khelif’s inclusion amongst female boxing peers, Strickland blasted the Olympics as “politically woke”.

Here's the facts. The Olympics didn't test this boxer for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex.. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness. pic.twitter.com/c5fRqGyiny

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 1, 2024

Khelif is scheduled to return to the ring tomorrow in a quarter final bracket, taking on Hungarian boxer, Luca Hamoni at the welterweight limit.

What are your thoughts on Imane Khelif’s competing at the Olympic Games?

Oleksandr Usyk calls for radical reform of ‘Rotten’ Olympic boxing system

Former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk is the latest in the long line of combat sports stars to…

Former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk is the latest in the long line of combat sports stars to voice their disgruntlement with this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France – particularly voicing his displeasure with the much-scrutinzed boxing competition, which he described as “rotten”.

Usyk, a native of Ukraine, became undisputed heavyweight world champion in professional boxing back in May, handing British heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury his first professional loss in a one-sided unanimous decision win in Riyadh to snatch the undisputed WBC heavyweight crown.

Oleksandr Usyk set to fight Tyson Fury in rematch title clash on December 21.

And expected to take on the Morecambe native at the end of the year in an immediate championship rematch, Oleksandr Usyk, who featured at the Olympic Games in 2012 back in London, won the gold medal at the men’s heavyweight limit.

Oleksandr Usyk labels current Olympic boxing regime “rotten”

However, amid criticizm over the competing of both Imane Khelif and Taiwan native Ling Yu-ting, heavyweight world champion, Usyk has called for a complete reform of the Games’ boxing system, labelling the current regime as “rotten”.

“For many years, there has been a desire to change the boxing system, which is rotten on an international level,” Oleksandr Usyk told SNTV during a recent interview. “So, we just need to work. No promises need to be made; we need to act. When you do this, people see the work done and come to you, asking to collaborate.”

A decorated amateur boxing star, Usyk retired from the amateur scene boasting a stunning 335-15 record, besting the trio of Clemente Russo, Tervel Pulev, and current WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev en route to his gold medal victory in London at the heavyweight limit.

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Unbeaten during his professional career in boxing, with his one-sided decision win over Fury earlier this year in the Middle East, Usyk improved to 22-0 as a professional.

Joe Rogan Scolds the ‘Scam’ Olympics and Criticizes ‘Drag Queens’ and ‘Transexuals’

UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has taken aim at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Speaking during an…

UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan has taken aim at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Speaking during an interview, he criticized the organization for being a scam when it comes to money, how they’re robbing athletes, and added notes about transexuals, drag queens, and a wacky gay dude.

Joe Rogan Talks 2024 Paris Olympic Games

The comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan, who has worked alongside the UFC for decades, had some things to say about the 2024 Summer Olympics, which are being hosted in Paris, France. Rogan calls out the Olympics for being a financial scam and is ripping off the athletes. He explains how all the money goes to the organizers rather than the athletes.

“The Olympics is a giant scam,” Joe Rogan explained on his podcast, “There are two things going on simultaneously, okay? You have the best athletes in the world participating in their disciplines. And then on top of that, you have enormous amounts of money being made, and none of it’s going to the athletes. It is a giant scam.” [H/t MMANews]

“The money they make is astronomical,” he continued, “The Olympics makes billions and billions in television revenue and advertising revenue. And they don’t give any of it to the athletes.”

paris 2024 games credit kovop Shutterstock.com 2196939705

Joe Rogan is employed by the UFC, a billion-dollar company that has been continuously criticized for poor fighter pay and has a class action lawsuit against it. When it comes to the UFC and fighter pay his tone is slightly different. Rogan, on UFC fighter pay with Luke Thomas, explains, “Do you factor in the overhead? Do you factor in all the employees? Do you factor in the machine that’s behind the UFC? The UFC has to be profitable.”

Discussing UFC fighter pay Joe Rogan said, “I think you should get the most amount of money you can possibly get. But it’s also a business and I think that if they are struggling as much as I think they are – I don’t talk finances with them but I know that WME, the people who own it, are hurting, bad. They’re laying people off. Most businesses are hurting.” [H/t MMAFighting]

UFC — Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Economics of the Olympics

When it comes to the Olympics, Joe Rogan likely has a point especially when it comes to the economics of hosting the Olympic games. Simply, the numbers don’t add up as a benefit for anyone involved, not just the athletes but also the host cities.

“You have several European cities dropping their bids,” economist Andrew Zimbalist explained in an interview with the New York Times, “Because of a plebiscite or their residents voted, “No, we don’t want to do this.” They’re looking at the balance sheet, which is overwhelmingly negative. They’re looking at the social and environmental disruption, which is extremely problematic.” He argues that cities that host the Olympics stand to lose tens of billions of dollars.

Andrew Zimbalist outlines how the Olympics keep the vast amount of revenue, nearly eighty percent, for themselves. The cities and athletes don’t benefit, but the real winners are development companies. Some cities, with development costs, stand to lose nearly 30 billion dollars because the income for hosting the Olympic games simply isn’t there.

Drag Queen and Transexuals

For Joe Rogan, it’s not just about the money. He also brought up transexuals and drag queens, which is a topic he loves to discuss. When discussing money issues regarding a sporting event, Rogan finds a way to talk about LGBTQ people. During the opening ceremonies, the Olympics were criticized for some controversial images. Rogan was sensitive about the topic and was clearly triggered by the opening ceremony.

“The ridiculous opening ceremony,” Rogan added, “Where you got a bunch of drag queens doing the last supper and all that s*** … Nobody understands it because it’s not made by athletes … These are the crazy people who are putting on the last supper with transexuals. That’s what they’re doing … It’s not the place for it. They’re pushing this weird agenda in this place where people are already getting f***** over … They let some wacky gay dude get ahold of the reins and he decided to do this.”

“There’s not billions of people all across the world tuning in,” he said, “Just to see a bunch of transexuals pretend to be Jesus and the disciples.” Khalil Rountree Jr. and Joe Rogan briefly discuss Hitler and the Nazis before finding a way back to the topic.

“I like some of the symbolism of the Olympics,” economist Andrew Zimbalist said, “I’m not sure how penetrating it is, but I like the idea that you bring the world’s best athletes together from 205 countries, and you have them compete against each other on the playing field rather than on the battlefield. That resonates for me. I like it. Now, how far does that take us? I don’t think very far. It’s very expensive symbolism.”

Islam Makhachev calls Paris 2024 Olympics “Disgusting”

Islam Makhachev had plenty to say about a certain moment during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympic…

Islam Makhachev had plenty to say about a certain moment during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Unless you’ve been living under a very heavy rock, you’ve probably come across some very angry people on social media in the wake of a vastly misinterpreted segment during the opening ceremony of this year’s summer games in The City of Light.

The segment in question featured a man dressed as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility, festivities, ecstasy, and theater, served on a platter. “The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings,” the Olympic Games official account on X wrote alongside a photo from the performance.

Islam Makhachev disgusted by Paris Games opening ceremony

Following the broadcast, backlash immediately ensued with many believing the segment closely resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ portrait of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. Those who were outraged argued that the event’s organizers were making a “mockery” out of Christianity.

During an interview with Ushatayka, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev echoed a similar sentiment, calling the display “disgusting” and calling it “disrespectful to all religions.”

“Well, to be honest, I watched fragments of the opening of the Olympics. It was disgusting.“

Makhachev further explained his objection to the opening ceremony segment, adding,“This is disrespectful to all religions in general and to all human values. To be honest, I even planned to go to the Olympics. After that, I don’t even want to go there.”

A host of celebrities have since spoken out against the misunderstood depiction, including Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, Fuller House star Candance Cameron-Bure, Caitlyn Jenner, former president Donald Trump, and fitness guru Jillian Michaels.

Islam Makhachev believes Russia can bring ‘human values’ back to the Olympics

Adding to his comments, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ called for the Olympics to come back to his home country of Russia where they know how to “uphold human values.”

“Well, first of all, Russia understands how to uphold human values,” Makhachev added. “It respects athletes and the sport. I don’t think it has anything to do with the sport.”

Russia has been absent from four consecutive Olympic Games, two summer and two winter, including 2024. Initially, the country was barred due to a state-run doping scandal that first came to light in 2016. In the years since, athletes from the country have been able to compete at the games, but only under the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) label.

This year, both Russia and Belarus were banned from the Olympics due to their involvement in the invasion of Ukraine which began in February 2022, days after the conclusion of the Winter Games.

Still, athletes from both countries are eligible to compete, but only under the AIN banner, or Athlètes Individuels Neutres.

The USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024 – Aiming for Gold

This is the USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024. Eight athletes, four men and four women, have qualified for the…

This is the USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024. Eight athletes, four men and four women, have qualified for the Summer Paris 2024 Olympics representing the United States of America in Boxing. All eight of these boxers will be aiming for gold.

The USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024

Claressa Shields, a professional boxer and MMA fighter is one of the few Americans to ever earn a gold medal in the Olympics for boxing. She met with the USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024 ahead of their flight to Paris, France to give them a motivational speech. In an interview, Shields said, “Jajaira Gonzalez is the best; she’s like a sister to me. We’ve traveled the world together … I know all of them can do it, but Jajaira has the most experience.” She added, “The best advice that I gave them was to remove any doubt and believe 110% in yourself.”

Jake Paul and Olympic Boxing?

YouTube Star and boxer Jake Paul also trained with the USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024 and apparently will also be at the Summer Paris 2024 Olympic games. On Instagram, he wrote, “I’m honored to partner with USA Boxing as the 2024 Paris Olympics approach. I’ll be training with the Olympic squad in Colorado Springs this winter and accompanying them to Paris this July to amplify our country’s best amateur boxers.”

USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024 Roster

Below is a list of the US Olympic boxing team’s eight members, where they were born, and what weight class they compete in. This is the USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024.

Joshua Edwards – Houston, TX – Boxing – Super heavyweight (203+ pounds)
Jajaira Gonzalez – Glendora, CA – Boxing – Lightweight (132 pounds)
Jahmal Harvey – Oxon Hill, MD – Boxing – Featherweight (125 pounds)
Roscoe Hill – Springs, TX – Boxing – Flyweight (112 pounds)
Omari Jones – Orlando, FL Boxing – Welterweight (156 pounds)
Jennifer Lozano – Laredo, TX – Boxing – Flyweight (110 pounds)
Morelle McCane – Cleveland, OH – Boxing – Welterweight (146 pounds)
Alyssa Mendoza – Caldwell, ID – Boxing – Featherweight (125 pounds)

Olympic Boxing Rules – How does Olympic boxing work?

Olympic boxing follows a distinct set of rules that differentiate it from professional boxing. Matches consist of three 3-minute rounds with 1-minute rest periods between rounds. Scoring uses the 10-point must system, where five judges award 10 points to the winner of each round and 9 points to the loser based on criteria such as quality punches landed, technical superiority, and competitiveness.

Boxers can win by points decision, knockout, referee stoppage, or disqualification. Protective gear includes gloves and mouthguards, with headgear required only for women since 2016. Fouls result in warnings and potential point deductions or disqualification.

The Olympic tournament follows a single-elimination format, with winners advancing until gold and silver medalists are determined, while both semifinal losers receive bronze medals. Weight categories differ for men and women, with specific glove sizes required for each.

Olympic Boxing Gloves

Boxers are required to wear gloves that are either red or blue, matching the color of their corner. For women, all gloves weigh 10 ounces. Men use either 10-ounce or 12-ounce gloves, depending on their weight class. Specifically, 10-ounce gloves are used for weight categories from 51 kg to 63.5 kg, while 12-ounce gloves are used for categories from 71 kg to +92 kg. Additionally, boxers must wear hand wraps underneath the gloves to protect their hands and wrists. For the USA Olympic Boxing Team 2024, they have multiple different weight classes.

When did boxing become an Olympic sport?

Boxing became an Olympic sport at the Games of the III Olympiad in St. Louis in 1904. This marked the debut of boxing in the modern Olympic Games. However, it’s worth noting that boxing has a longer history in Olympic competitions, as it was also part of the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, first appearing in 688 BC.