Olympic medallist and six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom is making headlines due to a public feud with her ex-husband, Karung Onkholer (Onler), following their divorce in 2023. Both parties have leveled serious accusations against each other, including claims of financial misconduct and infidelity.
The conflict intensified after Mary Kom’s recent interviews, in which she accused Onler of failing to support their family financially during their marriage. The couple, who wed in 2005, has four children and finalized their divorce in 2023.
Onler ‘Was Not Even Earning A Rupee’
In an interview with India TV, she remarked that her husband made no sacrifices, asserting that she was the family’s primary provider while Onler “slept at home.”
“What successful career? He played football in the streets. Honestly, he wasn’t even earning a rupee. Kuch bhi nahin, kahan sacrifice kiya? Subah shaam sotaa rehta tha (He used to sleep the whole day),” she said.
“He was living off a woman’s earnings; it made me very sad. I was earning significantly, and all my trust was misplaced. Later, I discovered that my bank account was nearly empty,” the six-time boxing champion added.
Mary Kom Opens Up On Divorce
In a telephonic interview with PTI, Kom discussed the “darkest phase” of her life, marked by a painful divorce, near-bankruptcy, and emotional turmoil. “What’s the point of all my achievements?” the 43-year-old lamented.
“I have been labeled greedy by individuals unaware of my struggles. Yes, I am now separated from my husband Onler, a situation that unfolded over two years ago. Everything seemed fine while I was competing and had minimal involvement in my finances, but when I got injured before the 2022 Commonwealth Games, I realized I was living a façade,” the former Rajya Sabha member said.
Kom mentioned that she was deceived out of crores and lost property she purchased with her hard-earned money.
“Everything seemed fine while I was competing, but post-injury before the 2022 Commonwealth Games, I came to terms with the reality. He continuously took loans and mortgaged my property, transferring it into his name. He borrowed money from locals in Churachandpur, leading to them seizing the land through underground groups,” Kom explained.
Onler’s Counterpunch
Onler firmly refuted all financial allegations, citing his current living situation in a rented home as evidence. In an exclusive discussion with IANS, he said, “For 18 years of marriage, we stood together. And now, this? She’s lost it. I’ve lived with her for 18 years. What do I have? Look at my house. I’m in a rented place in Delhi. She’s a celebrity. Some will believe her, while others won’t.”
He also accused Mary Kom of having multiple extramarital relationships. “I will disclose what she told Lok Adalat. Initially, in 2013, she had an affair with a junior boxer. Our families collided, and we reached a compromise. Since 2017, she’s been involved with someone at the Mary Kom Boxing Academy. I have their WhatsApp messages as proof. I possess evidence, including the name of the person she was with. I remained silent,” Onler stated.
“Provide proof for all the allegations and demonstrate if I possess crores. Why am I being accused of stealing money? She mentioned loans worth crores I took during the election. What’s the evidence? Money is being spent on elections. I borrowed from my friends,” he added.
Onler expressed no objections to Kom moving on but firmly opposed being publicly criticized.
“She wanted to be independent and start a new relationship. We’re divorced. I don’t care if she wants to remarry. But she should not blame me. And if she does, let her bring the proof; get the documents. I know where she resides and who she’s with,” he remarked.
He further asserted that despite injuries before the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she had traveled to Mumbai and maintained a relationship, claiming to have evidence.
No Conventional Gender Roles
Onler acknowledged that while their marriage deviated from traditional roles, his actions were motivated by love for his family rather than financial gain.
He stated he sacrificed his career—including his contract as a football player for Shillong’s Excise and Customs department and preparations for the UPSC exam—to support Kom’s boxing aspirations at her request. He described himself as her “driver” and “cook,” taking care of all household responsibilities while she competed.
“Yes, in our marriage, we didn’t conform to traditional gender roles. It wasn’t even feasible. She wanted to pursue boxing… so I agreed to manage the household. She was the primary earner, but I never regarded it as an extraordinary feat. I was merely supporting my wife’s passion,” he told the Hindustan Times.
