Imane Khelif (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Every champion’s story has humble beginnings, but Imane Khelif’s path to Olympic boxing glory stands out. She faced countless accusations during the event yet remained steadfast. She dispatched opponent after opponent and finally got the gold. The 25-year-old Algerian boxer’s recent feature in Vogue Arabia reveals a tale of extraordinary determination and grit.

Growing up in Tiaret, Algeria, Khelif’s early life was far from glamorous. She spent her days collecting aluminum, plastic, and iron from the streets and selling bread on roadsides. These weren’t just childhood adventures – they were necessary sacrifices to fund her boxing dreams.

“I sold bread on the roadside and collected plastic, aluminium, and iron to save money to get myself to the gym and back… I made sacrifices in many areas–in my personal life, my education. I did everything to reach the top,” said Khelif via Vogue Arabia.

Her relationship with coach Mohamed Chaoua proved transformative. While she was still counting coins from bread sales, he was already counting future Olympic medals. Some might call it blind faith, but Chaoua saw something special in the young fighter. It turns out he was right, as she realized her and his dream at the Paris Olympics.

Now featured on Vogue Arabia’s cover, Khelif reflected on her journey with remarkable candor. The same hands that once collected scrap metal now grace fashion magazine covers. Her story resonates beyond the boxing ring, touching on themes of perseverance, faith, and the power of dreaming big.

Imane Khelif Close To Making Her Professional Boxing Debut

The world of professional boxing is about to welcome a fascinating new contender. Fresh from her Olympic triumph in Paris,  Khelif stands ready to trade her amateur gloves for professional ones. She is bringing both exceptional talent and compelling storylines to the paid ranks.

After conquering the Olympic 66kg division with a display of raw power and refined technique, Khelif has caught the attention of several prominent boxing promoters. Her Olympic performances have created quite a buzz in the professional ranks. Michael Benson from talkSPORT reported this on his X account.

Imane Khelif has declared that she is now set to turn professional and is currently weighing up many offers from different promoters. Before winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Khelif was at the center of a gender eligibility dispute.