The World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool proved to be a challenging outing for Indian pugilists on Tuesday, as several boxers fell short in their respective bouts.
While some losses were narrow and left room for debate, others highlighted tactical shortcomings and missed opportunities. By the end of the day, India had little to cheer about, with multiple exits across weight categories. The biggest talking point of the day came from the men’s 60kg category, where Sachin Siwach faced Kazakhstan’s Zhexen Biibars. The bout ended with Sachin on the wrong side of a decision that many felt was harsh. Siwach, known for his fast hands and sharp counter-attacks, appeared competitive throughout the fight.
The first round was evenly contested, and the second round in particular saw him land a series of clean combinations that should have given him the edge.
Yet, the judges scored the second round 1-4 against him, a verdict that surprised both observers and supporters.
The final scorecards reflected a convincing win for Biibars, but those who watched closely believed Sachin had done enough to at least take the fight to a closer margin. While controversial decisions are not new to boxing, this one will sting, especially as Sachin had prepared meticulously for this tournament and looked in form. His exit also underscores the fine margins in international competition, where even small judging discrepancies can decide outcomes.
Neeraj Phogat Narrowly Misses Out
In the women’s 65kg division, Neeraj Phogat went down fighting against Great Britain’s Sacha Hickey, losing 2-3 on a split decision. It was the kind of bout that truly could have gone either way, as both boxers had their moments. Neeraj impressed with her well-timed combination punches, often catching Hickey off guard with sharp one-twos and body shots. The fight remained close on all three rounds, but Hickey’s marginally better output in the final round seemed to sway the judges in her favour.
For Neeraj, the performance was a reminder of her potential at this level. While the result was disappointing, the closeness of the contest showed she can match some of Europe’s top boxers. If anything, the lack of slightly more intensity in the closing stages cost her dearly. With experience, she will likely learn to finish stronger and tilt such close bouts in her favour.
Sakshi Chaudhary’s Game Plan Backfires
Perhaps the most frustrating result came in the women’s 54kg category, where Sakshi Chaudhary suffered a 0-5 loss to Turkey’s Hatice Akbas. The defeat wasn’t just comprehensive on the scorecards; it was also marred by questionable tactical choices. Sakshi adopted an ultra-aggressive approach from the first bell, charging forward recklessly in an attempt to unsettle her opponent. Instead of putting Akbas under pressure, the plan backfired. Not only did Sakshi struggle to land clean shots, but her overzealous style also led to penalties. She was docked two points one for punching after the referee’s call of break and another, likely for using her forearm illegally.
Against an opponent as composed as Akbas, this approach left Sakshi exposed and chasing the bout with little control. A more measured strategy might have given her a chance to compete, but the lack of discipline cost her dearly.
Sumit and Narender Outclassed
In the men’s division, two more Indians bowed out without much resistance.
Sumit lost his bout in the 80kg category, going down 0-5 to Rami of Bulgaria. It was a one-sided contest where Sumit struggled to find his range and allowed Rami to dictate with cleaner punches and better movement. Narender, competing in the +92kg super heavyweight class, suffered a 1-5 defeat against Italy’s Lenzi. Despite his size and reach, Narender could not establish dominance, with Lenzi consistently landing sharper jabs and counter-punches to keep control.
Both defeats highlighted the gulf that still exists between India’s second line of boxers and the elite competition at the world stage.
Overall, it was a difficult day for Indian boxing at the World Championships. Of the five Indians who took the ring, none managed to progress, leaving the camp disappointed.
- Sachin Siwach’s defeat felt unjust, adding to India’s long list of controversial decisions at major events.
- Neeraj Phogat showed promise but lacked finishing power in a close split decision loss.
- Sakshi Chaudhary’s tactical missteps ended her campaign prematurely.
- Sumit and Narender were clearly second-best against stronger opponents.
These results will likely spark introspection within the Indian camp. While the potential is evident, particularly in Siwach and Neeraj, fine margins, strategy, and discipline continue to separate Indian boxers from the very top.
The road to medals at world-level competitions requires not just skill but also composure, tactical flexibility, and the ability to leave no room for doubt in the judges’ eyes. For Siwach, the lesson is to impose himself more clearly in early rounds to avoid contentious decisions. For Neeraj, it is about building endurance to maintain intensity into the final round. For Sakshi, discipline and a measured approach must take precedence over aggression. The men’s heavier divisions, meanwhile, highlight the urgent need for India to develop stronger technical and physical conditioning programs.
Facing European and Central Asian heavyweights requires not just strength, but also agility, head movement, and ring awareness areas where both Sumit and Narender fell short.
The World Boxing Championships 2025 served a harsh reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for Indian boxing. A day that promised breakthroughs ended instead with frustration, questionable judging, and avoidable errors. Still, within the disappointment were glimpses of potential Siwach’s sharp exchanges, Neeraj’s combinations, and the experience gained by others. For Indian boxing to progress, the lessons from Liverpool must be absorbed quickly. The path to global success is long, but days like these, however painful, are often the catalysts for growth.
