Boxer Imane Khelif’s first fight since announcing the controversial Paris Olympics gold

Imane Khelif (Getty Images) Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is preparing to return to the boxing ring on December 15 in Paris, her first fight since winning gold at the 2024 Olympics.The 27-year-old player will face 21-year-old Dutch boxer Clarida Sarabia in a six-round professional fight.The fight was announced at a press conference in Paris on Friday. Sarabia enters the contest with an unbeaten professional record of four wins.Khelif was supposed to face Julia Igel in April, but had to withdraw due to injury.

Khelif opens up after a long absence from boxing

Khelif hasn’t competed in an official event since her Olympic triumph in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Games. Her gold victory came amid controversy over her eligibility after she was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) based on sex chromosome tests.In a promotional video shared by Stair Event on Instagram, Khelif reflected on her difficult time away from competition and insisted that she will never stop working on her comeback.“Days became weeks, weeks became months. I waited, I doubted. But deep inside the fire never went out. Behind closed doors, I kept fighting,” she said, according to Reuters.She also explained that her comeback has more meaning than her personal boxing career.“Because this fight was never just mine. It was for everyone who dared to be, for everyone who refused to give up,” she added.

Participation in the 2028 Olympics remains uncertain

Khelif’s future at the Olympics remains unclear due to the ongoing debate over gender eligibility testing in boxing. World Boxing, which will oversee the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, introduced mandatory gender testing for athletes competing in its events last year.In February, Khelif said she was willing to undergo genetic testing, but only if it was carried out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Asked if she would defend her Olympic title in 2028, she told reporters: “I can’t answer because I filed complaints with World Boxing about the gender tests.”However, her coach Kamel Abdesselam has indicated that another Olympic appearance is unlikely.“She has no interest in competing in the Games again. She is already an Olympic champion,” he said.