Yesterday, on March 8, the world celebrated ‘Women’s Day’ with much fanfare and élan. The day coincided with gripping news – taking women’s boxing to new heights, Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor will treat millions of fans with a trilogy fight on an all-female card. From the nascent days when legends Christy Martin and Laila Ali paved their way through a male-dominated world to a time when showdowns like Serrano-Taylor 1 – whose historic clash headlined Madison Square Garden and won the 2022 ‘Fight of the Year’ award – women’s boxing has come a long way. It’s time the sport saluted the ladies for their contributions.

Pay-wise, women may still have to break the glass ceiling. But it won’t be long before that barrier is also breached. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif reached out to fans, expressing her views on the strength, determination, and influence of women, especially in sports and other fields. What may have surprised many was her response when asked about a famous woman she would love to meet.

Imane Khelif: For every woman who dares to dream of victory!

Discussing gender equality, empowerment, and her personal experiences as a female athlete, Khelif answered five important questions about what International Women’s Day represents to her. “Happy Women’s Day,” said the Algerian champion. “On this day, I would like to celebrate every woman across the globe.” Speaking in chaste Arabic, Khelif continued. The first question appeared: “If you could meet any female personality, who would it be and why?”

After some thought, Khelif responded that it has to be Angelina Jolie. Why? Because “she always sends expressions of goodness and love for young children.” The next question was about what motivates her the most when she needs it badly. For the Paris Olympic gold medalist, motivation came from an inner reflection. How far she has come in the boxing world and where she wanted to go from here. It’s a journey that serves as its own inspiration.

Later, Imane Khelif spoke about women’s sports at large. “Nothing is impossible,” she said firmly when asked to share her message for young girls dreaming of making it in the world of sports. And finally, when asked to describe women in one sentence, she smiled and said, “Without women, there is no life.”

A battle that is far from over

Last year proved quite eventful and challenging for the 25-year-old. In Paris, a major controversy marred her road to Olympic gold. Following her first fight with Angela Carini, a storm of doubts and questions over her gender eligibility arose.

The issue reignited when reports suggested that the International Boxing Association (IBA) planned on filing legal complaints in Switzerland, France, and the United States. The organization had previously disqualified Khelif and Chinese boxer Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championship. The IBA questioned the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to allow the boxers to compete, arguing that Khelif should not have been permitted in women’s boxing.

Khelif subsequently responded. She reportedly described the IBA’s allegations as ‘false and offensive.’ She planned to take legal action to defend her rights.

Who, in your opinion, is the greatest female boxer of all time?