Mary Kom has publicly apologized for remarks she made on national television about her ex-husband Onler. This comes after the boxing legend was heavily trolled on social media for her comments.
Mary Kom made strong allegations against Onler on Aap ki Adalat, India’s longest running television show hosted by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma. In response, Onler accused Mary of cheating on him twice. He claimed their older children were upset by her alleged affairs.
In 2017, Mary and Onler appeared together on The Tara Sharma Show, where she repeatedly credited him with supporting her boxing career. Their marriage was widely seen as stable and inspiring.
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The film later influenced filmmaker Omung Kumar to make the 2014 biopic Mary Kom starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Mary’s recent comments on Aap Ki Adalat about her married life mostly went against her. Many people thought it was beneath the dignity of the legend to say such things about her ex-husband.
“I want to apologise. Many people on social media were confused by my statements,” Mary Kom said in an Instagram video captioned ‘Jai Hind, Jai Bharat’.
“I sincerely apologize to everyone, especially the wider male community, who felt hurt or disappointed by my comment on the Aap Ki Adalat show. My statement was never directed at all men, nor was it intended to offend or demean any individual,” she continued.
“The remark was purely related to a personal conflict and a dispute between us. I was emotionally overwhelmed at that moment. Years of suppressed pain, depression, feeling used and betrayals suddenly surfaced,” she added.
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Mary Kom clarified that her remark had been misinterpreted on social media, which she described as “unfortunate”. She said she was in no way against youth football, football culture or the football fraternity. Although she is a boxer, she sincerely loves football and likes to play it herself.
She clarified that her comment was not aimed at any sport or any players. According to her, everyone starts their journey in the local streets.
Those who work hard, sweat and stay determined till the end become players like Sunil Chhetri or Bhaichung Bhutia, she added.
Mary Kom also addressed her ex-husband’s claims that he sacrificed his football career. She stated that he played football in Shillong. But by the time she met him in Delhi, he had already quit football.
“I want to make it clear that it is not true that my marriage was never successful. For many years everything was fine. Later, when the trust completely broke down, things changed,” she said.
“Even so, I want to make it clear that after the divorce in April 2025, even after the press report appeared against me, I did not express myself to the public or the media. I always behaved with dignity and restraint,” she added.
Reaction on social networks
Social media apparently refused to accept Mary Kom’s “written” apology.
“A scripted video once you get the tension,” one user wrote, while another called it an “emotional drama.”
“Wait, I’ll unfollow you right now,” another user wrote.
Many users pointed out the numerous cuts in the video, questioning the “heavily edited” statement.
One of them wrote, “Jab cheeze dil se nikalti hai to cuts nahi sirf emoce hote hai (You wouldn’t need so many cuts if you were serious.
“If you want to apologize, say sorry to your ex, not to the nation,” one of them advised.
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However, many others had encouraging remarks for her.
“People were so quick to judge her without knowing both sides of the story. However, I’m with her,” wrote one.
Another wrote: “You are an inspiration. You can ignore this social network.”
“What you have achieved in boxing is already a benchmark for Indian sports. For other Indian athletes, it is just a dream to win 6x gold at the World Championships,” read another.
What did Mary Kom say on Aap ki Adalat?
On Aap ki Adalat, Mary Kom launched a scathing attack on her ex-husband. She said Onler had no success in his football career.
She claimed that although he was a man, he lived off the woman’s earnings. After their marriage, he had all of her earnings. He did not earn a single rupee, she said.
“You don’t even have a successful career. Are you Sunil Chhetri’s son or Bhaichung Bhutia’s son?”