The inaugural World Boxing Championships Liverpool 2025 has reached its most decisive stage yet: the quarterfinals.
Scheduled for September 10, the day carries monumental significance not only for the athletes stepping into the ring but also for the sport itself. Victories today mean more than just advancement to the semi-finals. They guarantee a place on the podium, a medal assured, and a chance to etch one’s name into history. For India, this day represents a watershed moment, with five boxers, four of them women, fighting for medals in one of the sport’s most competitive global stages. This tournament is no ordinary championship.
Held at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena from September 4–14, 2025, it marks the first world-level event sanctioned by World Boxing, the new governing body formed after the International Olympic Committee expelled the IBA in 2023 over governance and corruption issues.
With provisional IOC recognition, World Boxing represents a fresh start an athlete-centered, transparent approach designed to rebuild the sport’s credibility.
The stakes are immense. More than 550 boxers from over 65 countries are in action, across two rings, in a schedule that compresses high-intensity bouts into marathon sessions. On September 10 alone, 32 quarterfinal fights are set. For Indian fans, adjusting to the time zone difference Liverpool’s British Summer Time lags 4.5 hours behind India has become part of the drama. Evening bouts in England stretch into early mornings back home, making the quarterfinals not just a test of endurance for athletes but also for the supporters who stay awake to cheer them on.
The Indian Contingent: Strength in Numbers
India’s boxing story in Liverpool has already been one of momentum and promise. The Bhiwani belt, long celebrated as the “cradle of Indian boxing,” has once again delivered. Four of India’s quarterfinalists—Nupur, Nikhat Zareen, Jaismine, and Pooja Rani hail from this region, a powerful testament to its entrenched boxing ecosystem. Adding to that is Abhinash Jamwal, representing the men’s challenge in the 65kg class. Together, they form one of India’s strongest quarterfinal contingents in history, carrying both proven pedigrees and emerging potential.
Bout Analysis: The Five Indian Quarterfinals
Nupur (W 80+kg) vs. Oltinoy Sotimboeva (UZB)
Nupur, 26, carries the proud legacy of her grandfather, the legendary Captain Hawa Singh. Her rise, crowned by a World Boxing Cup gold, underlines her readiness for the world stage. Standing in her way is Uzbekistan’s Oltinoy Sotimboeva, a 20-year-old with a bronze from the same World Cup. A telling subplot lies in their indirect comparison: Sotimboeva lost to Kazakhstan’s Eldana Talipova in the semis, while Nupur went on to beat Talipova 5-0 in the final.
The equation is clear Nupur has already solved the puzzle that stopped her opponent. Yet, both fighters share a tendency to start slow, making tactical adaptability the key to who seizes control.
Nikhat Zareen (W 51kg) vs. Buse Naz Cakiroglu (TUR)
This is the headline bout of the day. Nikhat Zareen, two-time World Champion and one of India’s most decorated active boxers, faces Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu, two-time Olympic silver medalist and a world champion. The rivalry runs deep Zareen famously beat Cakiroglu at the 2022 Strandja Memorial. That psychological edge, coupled with Nikhat’s form in Liverpool, makes this a true clash of titans.
Zareen’s sharp counters against southpaws will be tested, while Cakiroglu’s experience and technical precision set the stage for one of the most watched fights of the championship.
Jaismine (W 57kg) vs. Khumorabonu Mamajonova (UZB)
Dubbed “The Bull vs. The Matador,” this fight epitomizes a stylistic clash. Jaismine, 24, a World Boxing Cup gold medalist, relies on height, reach, and disciplined footwork to control distance. Mamajonova, the Asian U22 champion, is a relentless pressure fighter with knockout power, having already floored an opponent in Liverpool. The outcome hinges on whether Jaismine can maintain range with her jab or if Mamajonova can cut the ring and drag her into a slugfest.
For Indian fans, Jaismine represents the tactical, technical evolution of the country’s new boxing wave.
Pooja Rani (W 80kg) vs. Emilia Koterska (POL)
At 34, Pooja Rani brings unmatched experience: two Asian titles and an Olympic appearance. Her opponent, 18-year-old Emilia Koterska, is still an enigma with little fight history. For Pooja, the key will be to weather the youthful energy and unpredictability of her opponent while relying on ring craft and stamina. Koterska’s unpredictability makes her dangerous early, but Pooja’s resilience and intelligence tilt the balance.
For the veteran Indian, this bout represents not just a medal shot but a career-defining chance to prove longevity at the elite level.
Abhinash Jamwal (M 65kg) vs. Lasha Guruli (GEO)
Perhaps the most politically charged fight of the day. Abhinash Jamwal, 22, enters with silver medals from both World Boxing Cups this year and two dominant wins in Liverpool. His opponent, Lasha Guruli, however, straddles the sport’s evolving fault lines. A Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, Guruli has also competed professionally in 2025, with two pro wins already under his belt. His presence in an amateur championship underscores the blurred lines between pro and amateur under the new World Boxing regime.
For Jamwal, it’s a trial by fire taking on an opponent accustomed to longer, harder fights with smaller gloves. For the sport, this bout could become a litmus test of the new eligibility rules.
Beyond individual matchups, three broader trends emerge.
- India’s Ascent: With multiple boxers in medal contention, India’s reputation as a boxing powerhouse is no longer aspirational it is becoming reality. The role of Bhiwani, with its legacy of producing disciplined, technically sharp fighters, is central to this rise.
- Uzbekistan’s Surge: With Sotimboeva and Mamajonova also in quarterfinals, Uzbekistan’s investment in grassroots and youth boxing is bearing fruit. The nation is positioning itself as a new-age rival to traditional boxing giants.
- Amateur-Pro Divide Blurred: Guruli’s inclusion despite active pro status reveals World Boxing’s willingness to prioritize talent over strict amateurism. It’s a pragmatic move, but one that will redefine how federations scout and prepare. The sport’s future seems destined for a hybrid model.
The quarterfinals at Liverpool are more than a stepping stone they are a litmus test for Indian boxing’s global credentials. Whether it’s Nikhat’s rivalry with Cakiroglu, Jaismine’s duel of styles, Pooja’s veteran resilience, Nupur’s tactical dominance, or Jamwal’s trial against the blurred boundaries of modern boxing, every bout carries narrative weight.
For India, medals are within touching distance. For the sport, the outcomes in Liverpool will serve as a benchmark for the new World Boxing order. This is not just about who wins and loses. It is about defining the future of global boxing and India stands right at the center of it.
