Imane Khelif set the boxing world abuzz in 2024 by winning Olympic gold at 66kg in Paris, despite swirling controversy over her biological sex. Now, the Algerian boxer is eyeing a professional career, potentially in the United States - a move that could make 2025 another headline year for her. The International Boxing Association had previously disqualified both Khelif and fellow gold medalist Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 amateur world championships, claiming they failed "gender tests." But the IOC dismissed those findings, citing deep mistrust of the now-expelled IBA's testing procedures, and allowed them to compete in Paris.
A new layer of intrigue arose with unverified reports suggesting Khelif was born with a rare condition, possibly making her biologically male. Two major sanctioning bodies, the WBC and WBA, have since hinted they’d hesitate to sanction Khelif professionally unless she submits to chromosome testing. It's unknown whether she will comply, creating further uncertainty over her potential pro debut.
Complicating matters, Khelif has spent her entire athletic life competing as a female, earning numerous achievements and, most notably, that Olympic gold. Critics argue such suspicion amounts to a "guilty until proven innocent" scenario, especially given the IOC's stance that Khelif's passports and sports federations list her as female, and no definitive proof of male chromosomes has been made public.
Still, it's clear the path forward for Khelif remains tied to these unresolved questions. To turn pro without backlash - or an outright ban - she may need to undergo transparency in medical testing. Until then, the boxing world is left wondering if one of its standout amateurs can truly translate Olympic glory into a professional triumph, given the shadows cast by these contentious claims.
Image Credit: Sky Sports