India’s boxing icon MC Mary Kom and her former husband Onler Kom are now locked in a public war of words, months after confirming the end of their nearly two-decade-long marriage. Reported by TOI.
Mary Kom announced her divorce in 2025 but initially chose not to disclose the reasons behind the split. However, recent interviews have brought the personal dispute into the public spotlight.
Appearing on Aap Ki Adalat with Rajat Sharma, Mary accused her ex-husband of financial fraud, alleging that it shattered her trust and ultimately led to the breakdown of their marriage.
Mary Kom’s allegations: “He stole my money!”
During the interview, Mary claimed Onler “never earned a penny” and depended entirely on her boxing income. She said the relationship deteriorated after she suffered an injury in 2022, shortly before the Commonwealth Games, when she began to see what she described as his “real face”.
Mary alleged that Onler withdrew ₹10 lakh from her bank account without her permission and later lied about it. She further accused him of transferring properties and assets worth several crores into his own name without her knowledge. According to Mary, these actions amounted to financial betrayal.
She also clarified that she did not cheat on him and said it was she who was cheated financially.
Onler Kom’s response: “She cheated – TWICE!”
Responding to Mary’s claims, Onler has now come forward with serious counter-allegations. In an interview with IANS, he accused Mary of having extramarital affairs during their marriage.
“Firstly, in 2013, she was having an affair with a junior boxer. Our families had a fight, and after that, we compromised. And since 2017, she’s been having a relationship with someone working at the Mary Kom Boxing Academy. I have their WhatsApp messages as proof.
I have proof, with the name of the person with whom she was having an affair. I remained silent. She wanted to stay alone and have another relationship.
We’re divorced. I don’t mind if she wants to have another husband. But don’t ever blame me. And if she’s to blame me, bring the proof; get the papers. I know where she lives and with whom she lives.”
He claimed these alleged relationships caused deep rifts in their marriage but said he stayed silent for years for the sake of the family.
Onler dismisses financial fraud claims
Onler also rejected Mary’s accusations of financial cheating, calling them baseless. He said that despite being married to a global sports icon for nearly 20 years, he currently lives in a rented house in Delhi.
He added that although he helped establish and register the Mary Kom Boxing Academy, someone else was appointed chairman. Responding to Mary’s assertion that she alone raised their children, Onler said that while she was the primary earner, he took on the responsibility of caring for the family.
“I gave up my career for our family”
In another interview with Hindustan Times, Onler said he sacrificed his own career at Mary’s request to support her boxing ambitions.
"I was preparing for UPSC when we met. I was also a contract football player for Shillong's Excise and Customs department. She requested me to give up my career and support her.
She asked me to raise the kids. She was passionate about boxing and I loved her, and I thought her passion was our passion. She was away for weeks and months. I raised the kids. I bathed them, fed them, took them to coaching and kept the house running!
"I was her driver. I was her cook. I did everything. And I did that because it was for our house and family. I lived like her salve. But in my eyes, it was all for love and family. Now, she is saying these hurtful things.
Fine, we have obtained a divorce through customary court, but don’t discredit my support. Don’t say such rude and disrespectful things!"
As the former couple trade allegations, the public dispute has sparked widespread debate. While opinions remain divided over who is at fault, many agree that the biggest impact of the bitter separation is being felt by their children.
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