Olympic champion Imane Khelif has to postpone her professional debut. A shoulder injury has forced the Algerian to take a break – the entire event in Paris has also been canceled.
Imane Khelif’s eagerly awaited professional debut has been postponed at short notice. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion was originally due to compete against German boxer Julia Igel in the French capital on April 23. However, this will not happen for the time being: a medical examination revealed a painful shoulder problem that currently makes it impossible for her to compete. According to the organizers, the strain of high-performance sport is currently incompatible with a competition.
The consequence: not only Khelif’s fight, but the entire event in the Salle Wagram will be postponed. A new date will be set soon, tickets will be refunded. For Khelif, the cancellation is a setback on her way to the professional ranks. The 25-year-old has not been in the ring since her Olympic victory and has recently made headlines away from the sport. Nevertheless, health comes first. This was also emphasized by promoter Brahim Asloum, who defended the decision on behalf of the athlete. It remains to be seen when Khelif will make her professional debut – but expectations remain high.
Text by Robin Josten