WHY NOW ??? AP
Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is begging for all negativity directed at athletes to come to a screeching halt ... saying hatred can have "massive effects" on people after the international outrage surrounding her gender.
The 25-year-old Algerian pugilist did a sit-down interview with SNTV on Sunday ... and explained in detail what it's been like to be the center of a debate over claims she is not a biological woman.
Khelif initially pondered why the questions were raised now after years of competing in the sport .