A lip-reader has deciphered what Angela Carini said after she bowed out of her fight against Imane Khelif.

As previously reported, Carini fought against the Algerian boxer Khelif on August 1 but stopped the fight after 46 seconds.

The Italian’s headgear was dislodged twice during the brief bout, contributing to her decision to withdraw, per Sky Sports News.

Carini explained to the press: “This time I didn’t succeed because I couldn’t fight anymore. I put an end to the match because after the second blow, after years of experience in the ring and a life of fighting, I felt a strong pain in my nose. I said ‘that’s enough’ because […] I could not bring the match to an end. So I thought, maybe it’s better to put an end to the match.”

Carini further elaborated via LBC: “After the second [punch] I couldn’t breathe anymore. I quit to save my own life. I went to my coach and said ‘enough’ because it takes maturity and courage to stop. I didn’t feel like fighting anymore.”

Carini was visibly distressed after the fight. Credit: Anadolu/Getty

Visibly distressed and possibly suffering from a broken nose, Carini declined to shake hands with Khelif and cried on the canvas.

Her coach supported her decision, stating: “She felt pain in her nose and said to me, ‘I don’t want to fight anymore.'”

She reportedly turned to her coach, Emanuele Renzini, and made a remark.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a lip-reader deciphered her words: “It hurt like hell,” referring to the punches she received from Khelif.

Khelif, who stands at 5ft 10, was one of two female boxers allowed to compete after being disqualified from last year’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi for not meeting gender eligibility criteria.

Khelif in her fight against Carini. Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty

Despite these issues, Algeria’s Olympic Committee defended Khelif, dismissing the criticism as “baseless.”

“Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics,” stated Algeria’s committee.

Reflecting on her withdrawal, Carini expressed regret, saying: “I have always honored my country with loyalty. This time I didn’t succeed because I couldn’t fight anymore. So I put an end to the match.”

In a statement regarding the controversy, the IOC said, per the Independent: “Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination.

“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 regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) (please find all applicable rules here).

“As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.”

Khelif in her fight against Carini. Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty

Following the backlash, Carini apologized for the uproar caused by her post-match comments. “All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini said.

“I’m sorry for my opponent, too… If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision. It wasn’t something I intended to do [ignoring the handshake].

“Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her.”