It was a day of commanding performances for Indian boxing at the ongoing Boxing World Championships, with Abhinash Jamwal, Jadumani Singh, Minakshi Hooda, and Nikhat Zareen all advancing to the quarterfinals.
Their wins pushed India’s tally of quarterfinalists to seven, underlining the nation’s growing strength in the ring. Competing in the men’s 65kg division, Abhinash Jamwal delivered a polished performance against the Dominican Republic’s Piter Ynoa, securing a 5:0 unanimous decision.
Jamwal’s display was a mix of slick footwork, sharp defensive movement, and calculated counters. Every time Ynoa tried to close distance, the Indian pivoted out of danger and responded with crisp combinations. The bout never seemed in doubt, with all five judges awarding the contest to Jamwal. The real test, however, awaits in the quarterfinals. Jamwal will face Lasha Guruli of Georgia, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist and a two-time World Championships bronze medallist.
Guruli’s pedigree makes him one of the most formidable names in the weight class, but Jamwal’s form and confidence will ensure India enters the bout with realistic hopes of securing a medal.
Jadumani Singh’s Ruthless Win in 50kg
In the men’s 50kg category, Jadumani Singh turned in perhaps the most dominant Indian performance of the day. Taking on England’s Reece Readshaw, Singh was relentless from the opening bell. His pressure-fighting, coupled with accurate body shots and overhand rights, had the English boxer reeling. Readshaw struggled to cope and looked fortunate to avoid a stoppage as Singh marched to a 5:0 unanimous decision.
Singh now advances to the quarterfinals, where he is expected to face former world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan. The Kazakh pugilist is a proven performer at the elite level, but Singh’s explosive style and momentum could make this a highly competitive clash.
Minakshi Hooda Uses Reach to Her Advantage
In the women’s 48kg division, Minakshi Hooda continued her impressive run with a clinical 5:0 win over Wang Qiuping of China. Hooda utilized her superior reach to perfection, keeping her opponent at distance with a stiff jab and following up with straight rights. Qiuping tried to break through with flurries, but Hooda’s disciplined defensive guard and quick pivots ensured she remained in control throughout. Judges were unanimous in her favor, rewarding her composure and tactical discipline.
Hooda now awaits the winner of the bout between England’s Pumphrey and Bulgaria’s Sevda Asenova in the quarterfinals. A victory there would secure her first World Championships medal.
Nikhat Zareen Sets Up Blockbuster Quarterfinal
Reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen also advanced to the last eight in the women’s 51kg category, defeating Japan’s Yuna Nishinaka via a 5:0 decision. The bout, however, was less about clean boxing and more about clinches. Nishinaka employed a scrappy style, holding and disrupting Nikhat’s rhythm, but was penalized with a two-point deduction. Nikhat remained composed, using her experience to land enough scoring punches to keep control.
The quarterfinal now sets up a blockbuster clash between Nikhat Zareen and Busenaz Cakiroglu of Turkey, a familiar rival and the reigning Olympic silver medalist. Their past encounters have been tightly fought, and the upcoming bout will carry high stakes: a guaranteed medal for the winner.
With Jamwal, Jadumani, Hooda, and Nikhat joining their compatriots in the quarterfinals, India now has seven boxers in the medal round. Each one is just one win away from securing at least a bronze, the traditional benchmark at the World Championships. The Indian contingent’s mix of youth and experience has been a standout feature of this campaign. Veterans like Nikhat bring composure and know-how in big moments, while fresh faces like Jadumani and Hooda have injected energy and fearlessness into the squad.
Not all results were in India’s favor. In the men’s division, Jugnoo exited the competition after a 0:5 loss to Robert McNulty of England in the round of 16. Jugnoo struggled to establish his rhythm, with McNulty controlling range and pace effectively.
Though disappointing, Jugnoo’s campaign added depth to India’s participation, and his presence reflects the broader pool of talent being developed.
The upcoming quarterfinals will be decisive. India’s boxers face some of the toughest names in world boxing:
- Abhinash Jamwal vs Lasha Guruli (Georgia) – A clash of styles, with Jamwal’s movement tested against Guruli’s experience.
- Jadumani Singh vs Sanzhar Tashkenbay (Kazakhstan) – Singh’s aggression against a seasoned former world champion.
- Minakshi Hooda vs Pumphrey/Asenova – Hooda’s discipline and reach against either a British challenger or a Bulgarian veteran.
- Nikhat Zareen vs Busenaz Cakiroglu (Turkey) – A marquee showdown between two of the best in the 51kg division.
Victories in these bouts would not only bring medals but also mark a significant moment in Indian boxing history, reflecting both depth and global competitiveness.
The World Championships 2025 have so far been a landmark campaign for Indian boxing. The performances of Abhinash Jamwal, Jadumani Singh, Minakshi Hooda, and Nikhat Zareen highlighted India’s adaptability across weight classes whether it was Jamwal’s slick defense, Singh’s raw aggression, Hooda’s tactical discipline, or Nikhat’s composure in a scrappy contest.
With seven Indian boxers now standing on the cusp of medals, the next round could prove decisive in cementing India’s place as a rising powerhouse in amateur boxing. The road to glory will not be easy, with Olympic medalists and former world champions in their path. But the belief within this squad is strong, and if the performances so far are any indication, Indian boxing fans may have plenty to celebrate in the coming days.
