The World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool mark the beginning of a new era for the sport under the governance of World Boxing.
For India, which has steadily built a reputation as a powerhouse in women’s boxing, the tournament is both an opportunity and a test. With a 10-member women’s contingent led by Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain, the expectations are high. The draws, however, present a mixture of opportunities and daunting challenges. All eyes will be on Nikhat Zareen, India’s two-time world champion, as she makes her first international appearance since the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her path to a medal is anything but easy.
Standing in her way is Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkey, a two-time Olympic silver medallist and one of the finest flyweights in the world.
The matchup is especially intriguing given their history: the head-to-head currently stands at 1-1. Nikhat’s superior technical variety has troubled Cakiroglu in the past, while the Turkish boxer’s consistency and high guard have proven difficult to penetrate. Their bout is expected to be a tactical masterclass, and it could well decide the medal distribution in this category. For Nikhat, victory here would not only secure another world medal but also send a strong statement that she remains among the very best despite the generational churn in global boxing.
Lovlina Borgohain (75kg): A Clear Run to a Fourth Medal?
Unlike her teammate, Lovlina Borgohain appears to have been handed a relatively favorable draw. Competing in the 75kg middleweight division, the Olympic bronze medallist and two-time world medallist has a realistic path to the semifinals. If she arrives in Liverpool in top physical and mental condition, Lovlina has every chance of picking up what would be her fourth World Championships medal. Her longer reach and ability to box from distance give her a stylistic advantage over most in her bracket. For a boxer who thrives in big tournaments, this could be the platform to reassert her dominance and build towards Los Angeles 2028.
Sakshi Chaudhary (54kg): From Junior Promise to Senior Test
The most fascinating storyline belongs to Sakshi Chaudhary in the 54kg division. A two-time youth world champion, Sakshi has long been considered one of India’s brightest talents. Yet, she has struggled to replicate that success consistently at the senior level. In Liverpool, she will run into Hatice Akbas of Turkey, the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist, as early as the pre-quarterfinals. It is a trial by fire. Akbas, known for her aggressive approach and powerful combinations, represents the exact kind of elite opposition Sakshi must overcome to establish herself as a genuine senior contender.
The silver lining is that Sakshi enters the championships in good form, having won gold at the World Boxing Cup in Kazakhstan earlier this year. That victory, against a strong American opponent, has given her belief. A win over Akbas would mark a breakthrough moment in her senior career and could well spark a deeper run in the competition.
Other Draws: A Mixed Bag for the Indian Team
While the spotlight naturally falls on Nikhat, Lovlina, and Sakshi, the rest of India’s women’s contingent finds itself in a variety of situations:
- Meenakshi Hooda (48kg) – Fresh off a silver medal at the Kazakhstan World Cup, she faces tough competition from experienced names like Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan. Her campaign will be a measure of whether she can continue her rise against seasoned opposition.
- Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) – With a strong pre-quarter win in Kazakhstan, she enters Liverpool with momentum. However, her bracket features several Olympic medallists, meaning she will need to step up another level.
- Sanamacha Chanu (70kg) – Still relatively inexperienced at the senior level, Chanu has a chance to gain exposure even if a medal seems unlikely this time.
- Pooja Rani (80kg) & Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) – Both boxers medaled in Kazakhstan, proving India’s depth in heavier divisions. Rani, a veteran, will be eager to finish on a high note, while Nupur’s raw power makes her an unpredictable threat.
Taken together, these draws offer both promise and peril. While some have manageable paths to the quarters, others will need to upset higher-ranked opponents to stay in contention.
India has set high standards in women’s boxing over the past decade, producing world champions and Olympic medallists with regularity. The Liverpool championships, however, are not just about adding to the medal tally they are about establishing authority in the new World Boxing era, with Olympic qualification systems for LA28 expected to emerge from this framework.
Realistically, India should target at least two medals from the women’s side in Liverpool. Lovlina’s favorable draw makes her a likely candidate, while Nikhat’s clash with Cakiroglu will be a true test of elite consistency. Sakshi, meanwhile, represents the wild card: capable of upsetting established names if she carries her Cup-winning form.
The 2025 World Boxing Championships is not just another tournament it is a reset for global boxing and a moment for India to underline its credentials. The women’s draws, though challenging, present opportunities for both veterans and youngsters.
- Nikhat Zareen has a high-stakes showdown that could define her year.
- Lovlina Borgohain looks well-placed to add to her medal collection.
- Sakshi Chaudhary faces her sternest test yet in a bid to transition from junior prodigy to senior star.
The rest of the squad, in mixed situations, adds depth and unpredictability to India’s campaign. As the competition unfolds in Liverpool, India’s women will once again carry the hopes of a nation that has come to expect medals on the world stage. Whether they deliver on those expectations will depend not just on skill, but on nerve, adaptability, and the ability to seize the moment when it matters most.
India’s Women’s First-Round Fixtures at World Boxing Championships 2025
- 48kg – Meenakshi Hooda (India) – Bye (advances to next round)
- 51kg – Nikhat Zareen (India) vs J. Lozano (USA)
- 54kg – Sakshi Chaudhary (India) vs H. Lakotar (Hungary)
- 57kg – Jaismine Lamboria (India) – Bye (advances to next round)
- 60kg – Sanu S (India) vs A. Rygielska (Poland)
- 65kg – Neeraj Phogat (India) vs E. McCane (England)
- 70kg – Thokchom Sanamacha (India) vs S. Caliskan (Turkey)
- 75kg – Lovlina Borgohain (India) – Bye (advances to next round)
- 80kg – Pooja Rani (India) – Bye (advances to next round)
- +80kg – Nupur Sheoran (India) – Bye (advances to next round)
