Imane Khelif is scheduled to return to professional boxing in Paris on 15 December, her representative said according to Tuổi Trẻ. The announced opponent is Dutch boxer Clarida Sarabia, who the newspaper said has won all four of her professional bouts.
The contest is planned for Maison de la Mutualité over six two-minute rounds. The date and opponent are part of the announced plan and should be checked again before the event.
A different weight from Paris 2024
Khelif is due to box at super welterweight, with a limit of about 69.8 kilograms, Tuổi Trẻ reported. That is above the 66kg division in which the Algerian won gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The newspaper said the French boxing federation had issued her a professional licence. An earlier planned return in April 2026 was postponed after an injury in training.
Khelif said she missed being in the ring after the interruption and wanted to continue her career despite a difficult two years, according to the report.
Opponent and eligibility background
Coach Kamel Abdesselam described Sarabia as a serious challenge. Tuổi Trẻ said all four of the Dutch boxer’s wins had come by knockout. Abdesselam also spoke of seeking a world title after around three to five bouts; that is an aspiration, not a confirmed title opportunity.
Before the 2024 Olympics, the International Boxing Association excluded Khelif from the 2023 world championships citing eligibility criteria. The International Olympic Committee, which ran boxing at Paris 2024, said the competitors met that event’s eligibility and medical rules. Khelif went on to win the women’s 66kg gold medal.
Tuổi Trẻ said Khelif had not given a definitive answer about defending her Olympic title at Los Angeles 2028. The professional booking remains subject to confirmation by organisers.