Olympic champion Imane Khelif to make professional boxing debut in December

Olympic champion Imane Khelif says she will make her professional boxing debut in Paris on 15 December, returning to the ring after winning welterweight gold at the 2024 Olympics. The move begins a new stage in her career after a difficult period that included a training injury and intense public scrutiny over her eligibility.

The 27-year-old Algerian will face Clarida Sarabia in the super-welterweight class. Khelif holds a professional licence from France’s boxing federation and had to postpone a planned return in April after being injured in training. Her coach Kamel Abdesselam said he believes she could contend for a world title within three to five fights; Khelif said she had missed boxing and was ready to give her all.