Algerian boxer Imane Khelif wins first fight at Olympics after being cleared to compete in women’s event despite eligibility row – as Italian opponent abandons bout after 46 seconds

Imane Khelif has won her first bout after Italian opponent Angela Carini abandoned their bout after 46 seconds – with the Algerian boxer cleared to compete in the women’s event amid an eligibility row.

Carini was punched twice by Khelif in the opening round of their women’s welterweight bout in Paris.

The blows appeared to knock off the Italian boxer’s chin strap, with the fighter moving over to her corner.

Carini returned to the centre of the ring and abandoned the bout, leading to Khelif being declared as the winner.

The Italian boxer, who claimed before the fight that she could ‘only adapt to the rules of the Olympics’, was then seen crying in the centre of the ring following the abrupt conclusion of the bout.