India’s elite boxers continued to underline their pedigree at the Elite Men and Women National Boxing Championships as several top names, led by two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, produced commanding performances to advance into the quarterfinals at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida.
With the championships entering a decisive phase, the gap in experience and quality between established internationals and emerging challengers was clearly evident across multiple weight categories. Being held simultaneously for men and women for the first time at a single venue, the championships have brought together close to 600 boxers from across the country, competing in 10 weight categories each. The depth of participation has ensured long days of action, but it has also highlighted how India’s leading boxers continue to set the benchmark at the domestic level.
Nikhat Zareen was once again the center of attention in the women’s 48–51 kg category. The Telangana boxer wasted little time asserting her authority, forcing the referee to stop her bout against Ladakh’s Kulsooma Bano in the very first round. Nikhat’s sharp footwork, superior timing and relentless pressure left no room for her opponent to settle, reinforcing why she remains one of India’s most dependable performers on the world stage.
World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 gold medallist Pawan Bartwal was equally dominant in the men’s 50–55 kg division. Representing the new generation of Indian boxers making a mark internationally, Pawan defeated Lalit in a one-sided contest that was stopped in the third round. His ability to control distance and pick his shots cleanly stood out, as he barely allowed Lalit to build any momentum through the bout.
In the men’s 70–75kg category, Sumit delivered a similarly emphatic performance, overpowering Madhya Pradesh’s Kapil before the referee halted the contest in the third round. Sumit’s physicality and sustained combinations ensured he stayed firmly in control, making a strong statement ahead of the quarterfinals.
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The women’s bouts also saw reigning world champion Minakshi continue her steady progress. Competing in the 45–48kg category, Minakshi secured a comfortable 5:0 unanimous decision over Annu of Jharkhand. While the bout did not demand her at her most aggressive, Minakshi displayed composure and ring awareness, conserving energy while still dominating on points.
Among the men, Jadumani Singh impressed once again in the 50–55kg category, registering a comprehensive 5:0 win over Uttar Pradesh’s Manish Rathore. Jadumani’s consistency across two days of competition has marked him out as one of the strongest contenders in his weight class. The same category also saw experienced campaigner Amit Panghal edge closer to form, as he overcame Chandigarh’s Krrish Pal by a 4:1 verdict in another controlled display.
The strong performances on Wednesday followed an equally eventful opening day on Tuesday, when several established names were tested before moving into the next round. World Championship bronze medallist Pooja Rani of Haryana looked every bit the seasoned campaigner as she blanked Anju of Chandigarh 5–0 in the women’s 75–80 kg category. Pooja’s ability to dictate the tempo and keep her opponent at bay ensured a straightforward passage into the next round.
Jadumani Singh had also set the tone earlier with a dominant second-round stoppage against R Parthiban of Tamil Nadu, underlining his attacking intent from the outset of the tournament. However, not all favorites had it easy. Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain was pushed hard by Saweety of Assam in a closely contested bout. Lovlina eventually prevailed 3–2 via a split decision, relying on her experience and composure under pressure to navigate a tricky contest.
Amit Panghal, competing for SSCB, also had to dig deep on the opening day. The former Commonwealth Games gold medallist edged past Priyanshu of Haryana in a tense 3–2 split decision, a result that highlighted both the competitiveness of the field and the fine margins at this level.
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As the championships progress into the quarterfinal stage, the performances so far have reaffirmed the dominance of India’s established internationals while also offering glimpses of emerging talent capable of challenging them. With national selection and future international opportunities at stake, the intensity is only expected to rise in the days ahead at Greater Noida.
