Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who made headlines during the 2024 Paris Olympics by clinching gold in the women’s welterweight division, now finds herself at the center of an escalating controversy. After a dominant Olympic run that left critics questioning her eligibility, Khelif is facing new hurdles ahead of her planned appearance at the Eindhoven Box Cup.
World Boxing has blocked Khelif from competing in any of its events unless she undergoes genetic sex screening. The governing body issued a statement confirming that Khelif must prove she has XX chromosomes to remain in the female category.
“Imane Khelif may not compete in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup… and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,” the statement read.
Fans Applaud World Boxing’s Tough Stance
Sports fans who have opposed Khelif’s participation in women’s boxing and have been vocal about keeping transgender athletes out of female competitions celebrated the ruling. On social media platform X, reactions poured in within minutes of the announcement.
🚨BREAKING🚨
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) May 30, 2025
World Boxing has announced that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will NOT be allowed to compete against women at the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup unless Khelif agrees to undergo a sex test.
The Algerian Boxing Committee will now be required to to demonstrate Khelif has XX… pic.twitter.com/QwrzhFuAZN
“We won women. Imane Khelif and every other man will have to undertake mandatory sex tests,” one user wrote. “Well done to all the women who made so much noise… especially the brave women who protested at the Olympics with their #XX campaign.”
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We won women. Imane Khelif and every other man will have to undertake mandatory sex tests. Well done to all the women who have made so much noise – not limited to – but especially, the brave women who got out in protest at the Olympics last August and kicked the whole thing off… pic.twitter.com/tloxCkrHx3
— Jean Hatchet (@JeanHatchet) May 30, 2025
Another fan echoed that sentiment, saying, “Well done to everyone who fought back against this circus — I feel completely vindicated!!”
Imane Khelif BANNED from women’s boxing!
— John James (@JohnJamesNI) May 30, 2025
When he started knocking ten bells out of women at the Olympics, I got on the next plane to Paris to stand beside brave women calling him out.
Well done to everyone who fought back against this circus – I feel completely vindicated!! pic.twitter.com/BnvALufbh7
One even predicted the end of Khelif’s boxing career, writing, “Suspect Imane Khelif will announce an early retirement from boxing.”
Suspect Imane Khelif will announce an early retirement from boxing.
— Jill Foster (@JournalistJill) May 30, 2025
The celebration, however, might be premature. Khelif has not publicly commented on whether she will take the genetic test. If she agrees and confirms she has XX chromosomes, the narrative could quickly shift, and critics may find themselves facing a very different reality.
This isn’t the first time Khelif’s eligibility has raised questions. The International Boxing Association once disqualified her over “medical reasons.” At the time, reports alleged she had shown XY chromosomes during testing, but the details remained murky and unconfirmed by any official medical source.
For now, Khelif’s boxing future hangs in the balance. All eyes are on whether she will step forward and comply with the genetic testing requirement or walk away from the sport altogether.
