The Olympic journey continues for Algeria’s Imane Khelif, who advanced to the welterweight final at Paris 2024 after posting a dominant three-round unanimous decision over Janjaem Suwannapheng at Roland Garros Stadium on Tuesday. All five judges gave her every round, as did The Sporting News.
MORE: Who is Imane Khelif? Bio and history of Algerian Olympic boxer
Khelif’s skillset was in full flow once again as she used a rapier jab and adept foot movement to befuddle her Thai opponent from start to finish. The Algerian boxer put an exclamation point on her victory by forcing a standing count in the dying seconds of the fight.
Suwannapheng did well to stay out of range in the first round, but she was too far away to do any scoring of her own. Khelif took the session by pumping out the jab and releasing the odd right hand when the opening presented itself.
The Thai fighter was more aggressive in round two, but that opened her up to more counter punching. Khelif rammed home the right hand and the left hook, and there was one memorable three-punch combination in this session.
The final round was untidy as Suwannapheng tried desperately to make something happen. The fighters fell into clinches and had to be forcefully separated by the referee.
However, as the seconds ticked away, Khelif released a terrific four-punch burst that snapped her opponent’s head back and prompted the referee to administer a count. The fight was already won at that point, but it was a mic-drop finish by the 25-year-old Algerian.
Khelif, who danced in celebration when the decision was announced, will fight for gold this Friday.
Imane Khelif vs. Janjaem Suwannapheng live updates, results, highlights from Olympics fight
THE WINNER AND ADVANCING TO THE PARIS 2024 WELTERWEIGHT FINAL... IMANE KHELIF!!! THE RESULT IS UNANIMOUS IN FAVOUR OF THE ALGERIAN WHO BOXED AN EXCELLENT FIGHT AND DOMINATED EVERY ROUND.
Round 3: Another right hand by Khelif, who is having a field day. The action gets untidy. Khelif finds distance again and makes the most of it by scoring sharp shots on the outside. Another clinch and Suwannapheng looks desperate. Khelif scores a heavy four-punch burst and the referee gives Suwannapheng a standing count. It's been easy work for the Algerian who is sure to be in the final. The judges will surely agree,
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-8 Khelif (30-26 Khelif)
Round 2: Three-punch combo scores from Khelif. Suwannapheng is more aggressive but walks onto counters early in this round. EXCELLENT right by Khelif, who punched between her opponent's shots. Cruise control right now from the Algerian. Great right hook by Khelif. Suwannapheng not throwing enough punches and is almost always out of range. Big hooks from Khelif, who falls off balance and gets caught. Aggressive finish by the Thai fighter but not enough to win the round. Judges agree.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Khelif (20-18 Khelif)
Round 1: Jab and a sharp right counter from Khelif. Jab again and a quick combo from the Algerian. Not many shots from Suwannapheng, but she's moving well. Nice left hook counter by Khelif. Sharp right again. TERRIFIC left hook counter by Khelif, who controlled the distance throughout that round. All judges score the same way.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Khelif
We now switch to round-by-round scoring for the welterweight (66kg) semifinal between Algeria's Imane Khelif and Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng. Whoever wins this bout will contest gold on Friday.
4:33 p.m. ET | 10:32 p.m. CEST: Running a little behind schedule. Khelif vs. Suwannapheng will be up next after the 50kg semifinal which is currently in progress.
3:44 p.m. ET | 9:44 p.m. CEST: The Imane Khelif vs. Janjaem Suwannapheng fight will get underway in approximately 50 minutes.
2:30 p.m. ET | 8:30 p.m. CEST: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the welterweight semifinal bout between Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng. We're in the countdown!!!
MORE: Olympic boxing results from Paris 2024
When is Imane Khelif's next Olympic boxing fight? Date, start time
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 6
- Time: 4:34 p.m. ET
The women's boxing semifinal match between Khelif and Suwannapheng at the 2024 Paris Olympics is scheduled to start at 4:34 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The event will be held at Roland-Garros Stadium.
How to watch Imane Khelif's next Olympic boxing fight: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: Peacock
The women's boxing semifinal match between Khelif and Suwannapheng at the 2024 Paris Olympics is not scheduled to air on a national TV channel. The fight can only be streamed on Peacock.
Other Olympic events are available to watch on Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial.
