Algerian boxer Imane Khelif scored a unanimous decision triumph over Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori to advance to the semifinals of the welterweight (66kg) classification Saturday at the 2024 Olympics.
All five judges voted in her favour and Khelif is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
Khelif was in control for most of the three-round contest at the North Paris Arena and worked extremely well behind an educated left jab. Hamori's punches came in cameos — and when she did try to close the gap, she was nailed with a sharp right hand and some tidy counters.
The first two rounds were fast-paced and clean, but the third was extremely untidy. On two occasions, the fighters fell to the canvas when their feet became tangled, and Khelif was deducted a point for holding. Even then, the Algerian fighter had the better of the action and the winner was never in doubt.
MORE: Who is Imane Khelif? Bio and history of Algerian Olympic boxer
The 25-year-old Khelif will now face Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng, who outpointed Turkey's Busenaz Surmeneli in the prior quarterfinal. The semifinalists are guaranteed a medal, as both third-place finishers in Olympic boxing receive bronze medals.
A huge gender-eligibility row erupted Thursday following Khelif’s first-round stoppage win over Italy’s Angela Carini. One flush right hand from the Algerian boxer forced Carini to inform her corner that she wanted to withdraw. The bout lasted just 46 seconds.
The reason for the controversy is that Khelif was disqualified from the World Championships last year due to failing a gender-eligibility test. The test was conducted by the IBA, which claim the specifics of the test and how it was conducted are confidential.
The 25-year-old has been cleared to fight by the IOC, which removed the IBA as a governing body in June 2023.
The Sporting News provided live fight updates and round-by-round scoring for this welterweight quarterfinal match.
DECOURCY: Imane Khelif's current opponent is bigger than her sport
Imane Khelif vs. Anna Luca Hamori live updates, results, highlights from Olympics fight
THE WINNER BY UNANIMOUS DECISION (5-0) IS IMANE KHELIF, WHO PROGRESSES TO THE SEMIFINAL ROUND. THE ALGERIAN FIGHTER IS GUARANTEED AT LEAST A BRONZE MEDAL.
Round 3: Both fighters fall to the floor when their feet tangle, Anction resumes. Hamori scores with a well-timed right hand. Jab scores for Khelif and both fighters fall to the canvas again. Untifdy round devoid of scoring. Khelif is deducted a point for holding. Jab lands from Khelif and a nice one-two. Khelif warned for slapping. Jab scores AGAIN for Khelif, who has won an untidy round.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 9-9 (29-27 Khelif)
Round 2: Hamori with a right but still being kept on the outside by the jab. Aggressive assault by Khelif and a good response from Hamori. The jab lands from the Algerian, who is again popped on the counter. Big right by Khelif. Nice left hook on the end of a three-punch combo by Khelif. Hamori's work is too sporadic and she's falling behind. Crown roaring for Khelif. Hamori is way out of distance and is being outscored. All judges give the round to Khelif and one offers a 10-8.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Khelif (20-18 Khelif)
Round 1: Both fighters trading jabs. Khelif takes centre ring. Jab and a nice right by the Algerian. Right to the body by Khelif... and a counter punch over the jab. An overhand right by Hamori scores after deflecting a body attack. Hamori with a left. Hook off the jab by Khelif. Sharp shots by Khelif score. Khelif is warned for a shot behind the head. Khelif with a right at the end of the round. Close round with an edge to Khelif. All five judges agree.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Khelif
The winner of the first welterweight quarterfinal bout is Janjaem Suwannapheng (THA). We now switch to round-by-round scoring for the Imane Khelif vs. Anna Luca Hamori fight. The winner will be guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
11.15 a.m. ET | 5.15 p.m. CEST: We now move into the welterweight division. Turkey's Busenaz Surmeneli takes on Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng. The winner of this bout will face the Khelif-Hamori victor in the semifinals.
11 a.m. ET | 5 p.m. CEST: The second quarterfinal matchup at 50kgs is about to get started. This is the second last fight before Khelif and Hamori contest their welterweight (66kg) quarterfinal.
10:45 a.m. ET | 4.45 p.m. CEST: The women's bouts have just started. First up is a quarterfinal bout at 50kgs. Khelif and Hamori will be in the ring in just over 30 minutes.
9 a.m. ET | 3 p.m. CEST: The bout between Khelif and Hamori is now scheduled to take place at 11.22 a.m. / 5.22 p.m. CEST.
8 a.m. ET | 2 p.m. CEST: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the welterweight quarterfinal bout between Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori.
Imane Khelif vs. Anna Luca Hamori start time
- Date: Saturday, August 3
- Time: 11:22 a.m. ET | 5:22 p.m. CEST
- Location: North Paris Arena
The Imane Khelif vs. Anna Luca Hamori bout will take place at 11:22 a.m. ET | 5:22 p.m. CEST.
How to watch Imane Khelif vs. Anna Luca Hamori
- U.S. TV channels: USA Network | CNBC
- U.S. live streams: Peacock | Fubo | NBC app/website