New Testing Doesn’t Allow Olympic Winner Imane Khelif to Compete in Boxing Cup

Policy changes come after numerous controversial incidents including the leaked failed Gender Eligibility Test of Imane Khelif.

New Testing Doesn’t Allow Olympic Winner Imane Khelif to Compete in Boxing Cup

Imane Khelif (Image via AP News)

The story of Imane Khelif is well known for anyone who kept up with 2024 Paris Olympics. There were plenty of controversies involved with the Olympics last year, with the story of ‘Transgender Boxer’ creating much controversy. Khelif had allegedly failed a Gender Eligibility Test, but the Paris Olympics Committee allowed her to compete in the female division.

This led to much controversy in the combat sports world, where popular boxer Jake Paul and former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya voiced controversial opinions. Her Olympic campaign saw her win the Gold medal in the 66 Kg category. Even after the conclusion of Olympics, the boxer faced scrutiny for the alleged failed Gender Eligibility Test.

A leaked medical report also revealed that Khelif was not a female. World Boxing took notice of this controversy and has come up with a plan to protect women’s boxing. The first step towards that is their new policy.

These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing. The move towards mandatory testing forms part of a new policy on “Sex, Age and Weight.”

Official new policy of World Boxing

One has to note that the World Boxing Executive Board holds the authority to make amendments under emergency or special circumstances. As such, the new policy came about due to the conditions that necessitated a change.

If there is unfairness involved in allowing someone like Imane Khelif compete in the female division, the ones in charge has to investigate and resolve such controversies. It appears the controversies in Paris were too much to ignore. Moreover, The International Boxing Association (IBA) claimed that they were being denied to release the failed Gender Eligibility Test results to protect Khelif.

Now, the amended change would lead to Imane Khelif having to undergo the same tests to determine whether she can compete in female boxing competitions again. As such, the Algerian boxer will likely not compete in the upcoming boxing tournaments as well.

Imane Khelif out of Eindhoven Box Cup after new policy changes

Eindhoven Box Cup of this year was set to feature the appearance of Imane Khelif until the new policy changes happened. Due to the skillset of the Algerian boxer, one would have expected a tournament victory after the impressive Paris Olympics achievement.

Imane Khelif of Algeria
Imane Khelif of Algeria (Image via News18)

With the involvement of World Boxing, the controversial boxer will likely not compete this year. To further clarify the matter and give transparency, World Boxing issued a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation as well.

Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025, and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures.

Official statement of World Boxing

Not only that, the boxing association chose to reveal the reason why such a new policy was needed. Names such as JK Rowling and Elon Musk also used their voices to question the unfairness involved in someone like Khelif compete against the women.

This eventually made the Algerian boxer to consider filing lawsuits in light of online bullying that the controversial personality faced. Not much has gone since then, but the conservative voices always bring up the controversies involving Khelif. This was indeed acknowledged by World Boxing in their reasoning for the new policy.

The new policy reflects concerns over the safety and wellbeing of all boxers, including Imane Khelif, and aims to protect the mental and physical health of all participants. This is in light of some of the reactions that have been expressed in relation to the boxer’s potential participation at the Eindhoven Box Cup.

Official Statement of World Boxing

Some of the voices referred here are the conservative voices that doesn’t align with any of the LGBTQ+ community. They have constantly bought up the failed Gender Eligibility Test and has tried to keep Khelif away from women’s boxing to protect and safeguard women. At this point, any appeal or some legal steps will be pursued by Team Khelif and the Algerian Boxing Federation to ensure eligibility moving forward.

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