'Made a huge statement': History beckons for unlikely Aussie duo as Zerafa predicts first-ever gold

While the biggest boxing story of the Olympics has centred around Imane Khelif, there's still two Aussies in the mix for a historic gold medal at Paris 2024.

After the high-profile Tokyo bronze medallist Harry Garside was eliminated in his first fight in shock fashion, the hopes of Australia bringing home a boxing medal diminished.

Those chances dropped even further when super-heavyweight contender Teremoana Teremoana suffered a defeat at the hands of defending champion Bakhodir Jalolov.

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However, two surprise packets have emerged and are now just one victory away from competing for gold in Paris.

The first of those is Caitlin Parker, who has earned a semi-final spot in the women's 75kg division and will take on China's Li Qian on Friday.

Speaking on Stan Sport's Paris Preview, polarising Aussie boxing star Michael Zerafa heaped praise on the 28-year-old Perth product and believes she can go the distance.

"She's always training super hard so I couldn't imagine what that would have felt like to win and secure a medal at the Olympics," Zerafa said.

"I think she could go all the way and win the gold.

"She has great ability, a hard worker in the gym. I tell everyone that you train hard to fight easy, and I think she has that same mentality.

"Going into this fight, the gold is definitely reachable and winnable for her."

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Parker booked her semi-final spot with a huge upset over world champion Khadija Mardi- a result that the Aussie described as "friggin' amazing".

The other green and gold fighter on the verge of Australia's first ever boxing gold medal is Charlie Senior, who is also through to the semis after a narrow win over Carlo Paalam.

According to Zerafa, the 22-year-old featherweight is better suited to the amateur style and has emerged as one of the world's best 57kg fighters in Paris.

​"I am a big fan of Charlie," he said.

"He's super explosive the way he boxes. In the ​amateurs, I think he's more suitable for this than the pros - pros want to stand there and fight. He has good boxing on queue, he wants to hit and not be hit which is the key of the amateur game.

"I think he will win the gold. He has all the ability in the world and he's basically come from nowhere. He's come out and made a huge statement and he wants gold.

"I think he's a big chance to win it."

Michael Zerafa will appear as a boxing expert on Stan Sport's Olympics Daily and Paris Preview shows throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.