Sport · India Bureau
Olympic boxing champion Khelif set for Paris comeback after shoulder injury
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will return to professional competition on December 15 in Paris, nearly two years after winning Olympic gold at the 2024 Games. The bout was originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to a left shoulder injury sustained during training.
LSN India ·
Khelif will face undefeated Spanish fighter Clarida Sarabia in her next ring appearance at the Maison de la Mutualite in Paris. The fight marks a significant moment for the champion, who has endured a challenging recovery period following her training injury.
"I've waited, I've doubted, but deep inside, the fire never dies," Khelif said in a promotional video shared on Instagram this week. "And, now, I'm back." The message underscores her determination to return to competitive boxing after the setback forced her to postpone her April bout.
Khelif's return comes two years after her triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she secured the gold medal in her weight category. Her Olympic victory drew significant international attention, partly due to intense scrutiny surrounding both her participation and that of Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who also won gold. Both boxers were cleared to compete by the International Olympic Committee despite being disqualified from the 2023 world championships by the International Boxing Association.
The December 15 professional bout represents Khelif's opportunity to reclaim her place at the forefront of women's boxing following her recovery from injury.