Imane Khelif has now announced that following her Gold Medal win in the Paris 2024 Olympics, she will make the change, moving from the amateur ranks and becoming a professional boxer.
The Algerian boxer was at the centre of misled controversy earlier this year, when reports surrounding her gender suggested that she were not born a female, and that she was a transgender athlete. It was found that not only were these damaging rumours untrue, but that the only evidence for them came from an unproven claim made by a corrupt Russian board who seemingly sought to defame Khelif after she defeated a Russian prospect.
The story garnered mass media attention, with the likes of JK Rowling, Piers Morgan, and Elon Musk weighing in on Khelif’s gender eligibility.
The rumours began after Khelif’s opponent, Angela Carini, quit their bout only seconds in, suggesting she felt Khelif’s punch and stating in tears that it was like nothing she’d ever felt and that it wasn’t fair.
It was revealed that Imane Khelif is filing lawsuits against the likes of JK Rowling, and many others, for their part in spreading defamatory and baseless allegations against the boxer.
Imane Khelif Goes Pro
It has recently been revealed that Khelif has made the decision, following her Paris 2024 victory, to join the paid professional ranks.
It is currently unclear which promoter she will sign with, though it is said that Khelif is weighing up many options.
Imane Khelif fought in the amateurs in the 66kg division, which means in the professional ranks possible future opponents at the weight may include Lauren Price, Natasha Jonas, Mikaela Mayer, and Sandy Ryan.
It remains to be seen which promoter Khelif will sign with, though it is certain she will have many eyes on her for the rest of her career.
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