The inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025, held in Liverpool from September 4–14, proved to be a watershed moment for Indian boxing a campaign defined by contrast, resilience, and resurgence.
In a tournament that brought together 540 boxers from 68 nations, India finished among the standout performers, thanks to a four-medal haul two golds, one silver, and one bronze all won by women.
The results reaffirmed a growing reality in Indian sport: while men’s boxing is still searching for consistency, it’s the women who are carrying the torch on the global stage.
Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg): Rising to the Summit
It was a golden fortnight for Jaismine Lamboria, who emerged as the face of India’s campaign in Liverpool. Competing in the 57 kg featherweight category, Jaismine displayed exceptional poise and tactical intelligence to defeat Poland’s top-seeded Julia Szeremeta by a 4–1 split decision in the final.
Throughout the bout, Jaismine showcased her hallmark composure reading her opponent’s rhythm early, using controlled aggression and crisp counter-punches to dictate pace. Her sharp jabs, timely pivots, and ability to manage distance neutralized Szeremeta’s attacking intent.
The victory marked Jaismine’s first World Championship gold, but beyond the medal, it symbolized a shift. Her measured dominance showed that Indian boxing now produces fighters who not only brawl but also think inside the ring.
Minakshi Hooda (48 kg): Gold Against the Odds
If Jaismine’s gold was expected, Minakshi Hooda’s was audacious. In the 48 kg light-flyweight division, the Haryana youngster stunned former two-time world champion Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan, winning 4–1 in the final.
Minakshi’s campaign was built on grit and adaptability. Against opponents with superior reach, she stayed compact and countered with blistering hooks from close range. Her tactical maturity especially in conserving energy for the final round bursts stood out through the tournament.
To beat Kyzaibay, one of the sport’s most seasoned technicians, required fearlessness and precision. Minakshi had both. Her triumph was one of India’s most significant in recent years a breakthrough that places her among the brightest prospects for the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Olympics.
Nupur Sheoran (80+ kg): Silver with Grit and Grace
In the heavyweight-plus (80 kg and above) category, Nupur Sheoran delivered one of India’s toughest performances of the competition, narrowly missing gold in a 3–2 split decision loss to Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska in the final.
Nupur’s campaign was marked by intensity. Her semifinal win showcased her improved ring movement and combination punching, particularly against taller opponents. Though she fell just short in the final, her silver underlined India’s growing strength across all weight classes a testament to years of investment in strength and conditioning at national camps.
Her performances also carried symbolic weight: a heavyweight medal for India at the Worlds is rare, and Nupur’s silver added both credibility and confidence to the team’s evolving narrative.
Pooja Rani (65 kg): Bronze with Authority
Veteran Pooja Rani capped India’s campaign with a bronze medal in the 65 kg category. She bowed out in the semifinals but reminded everyone why she remains one of India’s most technically sound boxers.
In earlier rounds, Pooja outclassed higher-ranked opponents with her experience and ring awareness. Even in defeat, her ability to absorb pressure and return calculated combinations kept her in contention until the final bell.
Her medal added depth to India’s tally and served as a crucial leadership anchor for a team brimming with youth.
While India’s women turned Liverpool into a medal factory, the story on the men’s side was less inspiring. Despite fielding several Olympians and national champions, no Indian male boxer reached the podium.
Many exited in the Round of 16 or quarterfinals, often against European and Central Asian opponents who exploited gaps in defense or conditioning.
The contrast was stark not just in results but in mindset. The women’s contingent looked tactically prepared and mentally resilient, while the men often appeared reactive and short of international exposure.
It’s a recurring pattern. The women’s program, bolstered by strong role models like Mary Kom, Lovlina Borgohain, and Nikhat Zareen, has developed a culture of self-belief and technical refinement. The men, meanwhile, seem to be caught between transition and stagnation in need of structural recalibration.
What the Medals Mean
Four medals, including two golds, mark India’s best-ever performance at a world boxing championship outside home soil. But beyond the statistics lies something more important a sense of renewal.
Jaismine and Minakshi represent a new generation unburdened by legacy. They train in a more data-driven environment, spar internationally, and adapt faster to opponents. Their success isn’t accidental; it’s systemic.
At the same time, Nupur and Pooja’s podium finishes reflect experience and endurance the kind of depth that elite sporting nations build over time.
Liverpool 2025 offered as many lessons as it did medals. For the women, the goal now is sustainability staying fit, managing workloads, and building on these results toward the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
For the men, it’s time for introspection: clearer selection policies, better exposure to high-intensity bouts, and a renewed focus on physical conditioning.
India’s four medals in Liverpool are more than numbers; they are proof that with planning and persistence, world-class results are achievable. In the ring, where courage meets clarity, the Indian women have shown both.
And as the lights fade in Liverpool, one truth remains the heart of Indian boxing beats strongest in the women’s corner.
