Latest news with #combatSports
Fox News
a day ago
- Health
- Fox News
Imane Khelif barred from upcoming women's boxing tournament until passing new mandatory sex test
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will not be competing as expected in an upcoming World Boxing women's competition until completing a mandatory sex test, the organization announced on Friday. "Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing's rules and testing procedures," a letter sent by World Boxing to the Algerian Boxing Federation read. The letter also stated that World Boxing decided to adopt mandatory sex tests this month. "These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing," the letter read. World Boxing added in a statement that the new policies are "designed solely to ensure the health and safety of all participants in World Boxing competitions (including Imane Khelif) and is not deemed to in any way pre-judge the outcome of any testing that will be introduced as part of the new policy on 'Sex, Age and Weight.'" The controversial gold medalist was slated to return to the sport at the Eindhoven Box Cup in The Netherlands in June. Now, Khelif will only be able to compete if a polymerase chain reaction genetic test — a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material — is passed. World Boxing claims the policy will include an appeals process and support will be offered to any boxers that provide an adverse test result. Khelif, who was the subject of global controversy during the Paris Olympics, was previously disqualified from the International Boxing Association for failing a gender eligibility test. IBA President Umar Kremlev claimed unpublished DNA test results showed Khelif had XY chromosomes, which is the default combination for men. Then, en-route to winning women's gold in Paris, Khelif infamously beat Italy's Angela Carini by forfeit, as Carini cried after the match because of how hard Khelif's punches were. The incident even prompted the backlash of President Donald Trump during his campaign last summer, who spoke out against the International Olympic Committee for allowing Khelif to compete. Former IOC President Thomas Bach defended Khelif's participation, as IOC's gender eligibility policies permitted Khelif's participation. Khelif later filed a lawsuit in France citing "acts of aggravated cyber harassment" over the public response to her participation. Khelif announced intentions to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics in an interview with ITV in March. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
ONE Championship: Haggerty blasts ‘delusional' Ghazali, denies ducking fight with teen
Freddie Haggerty has denied turning down a fight with Johan Ghazali, in a fiery response to the teenage striking sensation's claims 'he didn't want it'. Advertisement The Briton hit back at comments Ghazali made in an interview with the Post, saying there were 'delusional and that's the truth' and if he was offered a fight with the 18-year-old by ONE Championship he would 'say yes like there was no tomorrow'. And Haggerty, the younger brother of ONE Bantamweight kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, was quick to shut down any narrative he was avoiding the fight. 'I don't fear no one that bleeds the same as I do and that's the God's honest truth,' the 20-year-old said. 'Once we're in there [the ring], it's just a fair battle. It's who's trained harder, who's prepared better, who's ready to die for it.' The younger Haggerty said he would be willing to face the Malaysian at multiple Muay Thai weight classes having 'watched his [Ghazali] past couple of performances', and questioned whether the was really as confident as he made out.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
UFC star Dan Hooker vows more backyard scraps after backlash
Dan Hooker stressed professional referees and medical staff were in attendance. Photo: youtube Kiwi mixed martial arts fighter Dan Hooker has vowed to stage more backyard fights in future. The UFC lightweight last weekend hosted 32 men at his Auckland home for a 'one-minute scrap' tournament with a $50,000 cash prize. He's just released the full video of the event on Youtube, showcasing 30 fights in less than an hour. The event has drawn heavy criticism from both the public and boxing pundits, as well as attracting police attention. Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, Hooker questioned the backlash. "There's a few lefties having a sulk, but once everyone watches the full 45 minutes and sees the respect for the fighters, since when did putting gloves on in the backyard and having a punch up illegal?" he said. "Since when is that a crime?" Hooker stressed that professional referees and medical staff were present. "It's being run by some of the most experienced combat sports people in the country. Once they watch the whole thing, they will just be, like, 'Oh, it doesn't matter, it's not that big of a deal'." Dan Hooker claims the only major injury was to a fighter's arm, while others were put through concussion protocols. Photo: youtube "I knew that everyone would think it was crazy, I knew there would be people who would have issues with it. I wanted it at my house, so i could control it. "I had some amazing people step up to the plate and make it all run smoothly." Hooker said the only major injury was to a fighter's arm. "There were a couple bumps, a couple scrapes, obviously a few of the boys were run through concussion protocol." With a three-second knockdown rule and two knockdowns ending the bout, Hooker believed his event was actually safer than boxing. "These boys are a lot less banged up." All fighters were given a $1000 cash bonus and, combined with the grand prize, a total of $82,000 was awarded. The bouts were fought under a three-second knowdown rule or two knockdowns ending the contest. Photo: youtube Hooker said this was funded through clicks. "People on the internet want wild new content clips and that pays for the $50,000 for the winner." While he initially planned for just a one-off event, Hooker has been driven by the critics to host another. "Now you've challenged me. I was going to leave it, but now there are people trying to stop me - now I am honourbound and forced to pursue it. "I'm just a man with an iphone and a dream. I didn't know it would go that good, so we'll do another one definitely this year." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Mike Tyson offered stunning return to the ring against scary MMA legend - months after losing to Jake Paul by unanimous decision
Mike Tyson has been offered a stunning return to the ring against MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko. The 58-year-old hung up his gloves in 2005 but returned after 19 years to take on Youtuber Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Texas in November. He earned £16million for his efforts but looked like a shadow of his former self as he laboured to a wide unanimous decision loss. Tyson, who has won 50 fights and five major world titles, has been offered the bout by Kazakh combat sports promotion, Alash Pride League (APL), who hope to tempt him with a winter clash against the Russian MMA icon. Speaking in Astana, Kazakhstan this week, APL President, Alimzhan Bektaev, said: 'We are planning a bout between Mike Tyson and Fedor Emelianenko. 'Work in this direction is already underway... 'The tournament, where we want to invite Mike Tyson, is scheduled for December.' Emelianenko is widely recognised as one the greatest MMA fighters of all time, holding a legendary 27-fight winning streak during the mid to late 2000s. The former PRIDE heavyweight title holder has a professional record of 40-7, which includes victories against Mark Coleman, Andrei Arlovski, Mirko Cro Cop and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. He retired in February 2023 after a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Bader. The APL has not confirmed which rules the bout would come under but it is highly likely to be boxing. Emelianenko, nicknamed 'The Last Emperor, has previously shown interest in fighting Tyson. Speaking on the Ariel Helwani in 2023, after his retirement from MMA, Emelianenko said: 'MMA is done 100 per cent, I am not going to go back to MMA. 'I want to try my hand at boxing, I think it will be interesting... 'I watched the fight between Roy Jones and Mike Tyson, I would like to fight him. He has a big name, and he is a legend.' While Tyson went the distance with Paul in his last bout, the Youtuber admitted easing up on him as the fight went on. 'After I'd seen him tired I didn't want to put too much hurt on him, but I wanted the fans to get a good experience,' he continued. 'But there was a point where my aggression and violence went away when I wasn't getting hit. I love Mike.' An average of 60 million households watched the main event live, with as many as 65 million watching at one time, according to MVP. The win took Paul to a professional boxing record of 11-1 - with the one defeat coming against Tommy Fury in February last year - and it is unclear what will come next for the 27-year-old. Many were surprised the fight was even sanctioned after it was initially delayed in June when Tyson suffered an ulcer flareup on a cross-country flight. Tyson claimed he nearly died on that plane and ultimately had eight blood transfusions as he recovered from the incident.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Darren Till? Background, stats, next fight and more
Darren Till will have his second professional boxing fight on Friday, taking on fellow UFC graduate Darren Stewart in the latest instalment of Misfits Boxing X-series in Leeds. Do not mistake this being his second boxing fight for a lack of combat experience. Till has had over 20 fights as a professional mixed martial arts fighter and a storied career with the UFC. Here is everything you need to know about Till before his fight. Total fights: 24 Record: 18-5-1 (10 KOs) Height: 6' 0' Reach: 75' Age: 32 Boxing record Total fights: 1 Record: 1-0 (1 KO) MMA background Till began his journey in combat sport as Muay Thai at the age of 12 before moving to train at the Team Kaobon MMA gym in Liverpool at 14. As an amateur, the Liverpudlian went 3-0 in England before moving to Brazil and turning professional in 2013. He would have a twelve-fight unbeaten streak in South America before he joined the UFC. In 2017, Till took his first UFC fight on nine days' notice as an injury replacement and faced Wendell de Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 76, winning by knockout. Till swiftly proved himself to be a rising star in the welterweight ranks, going four fights unbeaten and claiming victories over legendary UFC fighters Donald Cerrone and Stephen Thompson. A title shot was next, against one of the best welterweight champions Dana White's organisation had ever seen - Tyron Woodley. Till fell short on the night, losing to a submission in the second round. This would be the start of a downturn in the career of Till, who had constantly battled with making the 170lbs welterweight limit, losing via knockout to Jorge Masvidal in 2019. Till moved to middleweight where he would find initial success, defeating world title contender Kelvin Gastelum, before losing three losses to Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson and Dricus Du Plessis. This marked the end of his partnership with the UFC, with Till requesting to be released from his contract to pursue other interests. Move into boxing After his UFC departure, Till decided to pursue prize fighting and had a scheduled bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson undercard. But the fight was cancelled after the main event was rescheduled. The Liverpool fighter had an exhibition fight in 2019 in Dubai before signing with KSI's Misfits Boxing at the start of this year. His first fight under the Misfits banner was going to be against Tommy Fury, but the Love Island star pulled out after Till threatened to use MMA tactics. The former UFC star finally made his professional boxing debut in January, knocking out Anthony Taylor in the sixth round. He now faces Darren Stewart on Friday.
