Imane Khelif will make her professional boxing debut in December in her first fight since winning Olympic gold two years ago.
The Algerian, 27, became embroiled in a huge controversy at the Paris Games in 2024 when her triumph in the welterweight division was overshadowed by a row regarding her eligibility.
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Khelif was forced to defend her position in the event after reports emerged claiming that she had failed a gender eligibility test during an event the year before.
She would go on to win gold in the tournament with a victory over China‘s Yang Liu.
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World Boxing introduced new measures in the wake of the Games that required athletes to undergo sex screening before being allowed to compete.
Khelif was born and raised female, but has been accused of having differences of sexual development.
And while she has declared a desire to go back to the Olympics in LA in 2028, Khelif has announced she is now turning pro — with her debut scheduled against 4-0 Dutch fighter Clarida Sarabia in Paris on December 16 (AEST).
Speaking on the move to the pro game, she said: “It’s been over two years since I last boxed, and I’ve really missed being in the ring.”
And in a promotional video on Instagram, she added: “I waited, doubted. But deep inside, the fire never died.”
Khelif was due to return to the ring in April, before her pro career was postponed due to an injury.
Khelif’s coach Kamel Abdesselam has claimed the Olympic champion has no interest in going to the LA Games and is currently focused on winning a world title in the professional ranks.
She appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after World Boxing made the decision to exclude her from events without genetic testing.
However, an attempt to suspend that decision was rejected in September last year.