A well-known boxer, Imane Khelif, will not be competing in the Eindhoven Box Cup. This decision comes right after a new rule was put in place by World Boxing. The rule requires all athletes to undergo sex testing. Khelif, who is from Algeria, did not sign up in time for the event. The deadline for registrations was Thursday.

The media director of the tournament, Dirk Renders, made it clear that the decision to exclude Khelif was not theirs. He expressed regret over the situation. Khelif had planned to return to international competition at the Eindhoven tournament. However, World Boxing announced its new sex testing policy just last Friday. This policy specifically mentioned Khelif, stating that she would need to be screened to compete in any upcoming events, including the Eindhoven Box Cup.

The mayor of Eindhoven, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, was not happy with World Boxing's decision. He wrote a letter to the Dutch Boxing Federation and the International Boxing Federation. In the letter, he stated that all athletes are welcome in Eindhoven. He also criticized the use of controversial "gender tests" to exclude athletes. He called on the organization to allow Khelif to compete.

Khelif won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics last summer. She faced a lot of scrutiny, along with Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, another gold medal winner. The previous governing body for Olympic boxing, the International Boxing Association, had disqualified both fighters from its 2023 world championships. They claimed the fighters failed unspecified eligibility tests. However, the IBA was banned due to decades of misdeeds and controversy. The International Olympic Committee ran the past two Olympic boxing tournaments instead. They used the same sex eligibility rules as previous Olympics. Khelif and Lin were eligible to compete under those standards.

World Boxing has been provisionally approved as the boxing organizer for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. They have faced pressure from boxers and their federations to create sex eligibility standards. The president of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, apologized after Khelif was singled out in the governing body’s announcement last week. Some boxers and their federations have already spoken out against her inclusion in the LA Games. Khelif won gold at the Eindhoven event last year, defeating Australia’s Marissa Williamson-Pohlman in the final. She also competed at the Tokyo Games in 2021, losing in the quarterfinals to eventual gold medalist Kellie Harrington of Ireland.

A Boxer's Stand Against New Rules

EA Sports FC 25 has introduced a new way to transform your team with the 'Toon Squad' Evolution. This feature allows players to convert a striker into a central midfielder. The process can be completed using 60, 000 Coins or 400 EAFC Points. It's a fun way to give your strikers a new role on the field.

The 'Toon Squad' Evolution is inspired by Joelinton, a player who made a similar switch in real life. The evolution is all about turning strikers into versatile midfielders. To do this, you need to pick a striker with specific qualities. The striker must have a maximum rating of 88, 88 Pace, and 88 Physicality. They can have up to three total positions and no more than 10 PlayStyles, with two of those being PlayStyle+. The striker can be either their primary or secondary position, giving you a wide range of options.

Once you've chosen your striker, they'll get some serious upgrades. Their overall rating can go up to 90, with significant boosts in Pace, Shooting, Passing, Dribbling, Defending, and Physical attributes. They'll also gain a new position as a central midfielder and a PlayStyle+ called Pinged Pass. This makes them a valuable addition to your team.

There are nine standout players who are perfect for this evolution. These players come from different leagues and clubs, each bringing unique skills to the table. Some of these players have better links, making them more popular choices. Others have special PlayStyles that make them stand out. A few can even be upgraded further, adding to their appeal.

Let's start with Oihan Sancet from Athletic Bilbao. He's known for his versatility and can play both as a striker and a midfielder. With four-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot, he's comfortable in most situations. His stats, including 86 Attacking Positioning, 86 Finishing, 88 Ball Control, 90 Dribbling, and 90 Composure, make him a top choice.

Next up is Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. He's known for his natural talent and instinct, which he showcased with a stunning goal against Real Madrid. Alvarez can play as an attacking midfielder and can be converted to a central midfielder with this evolution. His stats, including four-star skills, a four-star weak foot, 86 Finishing, 90 Defensive Awareness, and 83 Stand Tackle, make him a great all-rounder.

Wayne Rooney, the English icon, is another excellent choice. He started his career as a striker at Everton but later became a central midfielder. Now, as a manager, he can become a superstar again with this evolution. His stats, including a four-star weak foot, 90 Attacking Positioning, 89 Finishing, 92 Shot Power, and 83 Stand Tackle, show his versatility.

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, is also on the list. He's known for his goal-scoring ability and athleticism. With this evolution, he can become 'meta' in EA Sports FC 25 again. His stats, including five-star skills, a four-star weak foot, 94 Ball Control, 85 Dribbling, and 99 Composure, make him a dominant force on the field.

Ivan Toney, who moved to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, is another player to consider. Despite the move, he's still a top striker in EA Sports FC 25. This evolution would make him a member of the 'Gullit Gang', with stats like 89 Stand Tackle, 90 Attacking Positioning, 93 Finishing, and 91 Shot Power.

Jorge Campos from MLS is not usually a popular choice, but he could be a game-changer with this evolution. He can become part of the 'Gullit Gang' and has impressive stats like four-star skill moves, a four-star weak foot, 91 Agility, 86 Balance, 90 Reactions, and 88 Ball Control. He's a great choice if you need someone who never stops running in the final third.

Luuk de Jong from PSV Eindhoven is another effective striker who can benefit from this evolution. He's not as effective as he once was, but with this evolution, he can become a striker-turned-midfielder with impressive stats like four-star skill moves, a five-star weak foot, 93 Defensive Awareness, 87 Stand Tackle, 91 Ball Control, 86 Dribbling, and 91 Composure.

Edinson Cavani, once one of the world's best strikers, is another player who can benefit from this evolution. He has a Flashback SBC in EA Sports FC 25 to celebrate his prime, and with this evolution, he can become even better. His stats, including five-star skills, 98 Attacking Positioning, 92 Finishing, 94 Shot Power, 89 Ball Control, 86 Dribbling, and 96 Composure, make him a top choice.

Mikel Merino from Arsenal is known for his versatility. He played up front for the Gunners and scored twice, earning himself an in-form card. With this evolution, he can become even better with stats like 92 Reactions, 91 Ball Control, 89 Dribbling, and 86 Composure. He's a great choice if you need a player who can defend well.

The 'Toon Squad' Evolution is a fun way to add some excitement to your EA Sports FC 25 team. With these top players, you can create a versatile and powerful midfield. The evolution is available until the 20th of March and must be completed by the 27th of March. So, don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your team!

EINDHOVEN

A Boxer's Stand Against New Rules

The Ultimate Midfield Makeover: Top Players for EA Sports FC 25's 'Toon Squad' Evolution