The World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool will be remembered as a watershed moment for Indian women’s boxing.
On a high-voltage evening inside the Echo Arena, two Indian boxers Nupur Sheoran (+80kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) delivered commanding semifinal wins to storm into the finals of their respective categories. Their performances not only secured silver medals at the very least but also reignited India’s golden dreams in world boxing.
Nupur Sheoran: Carrying Forward a Legacy
When Nupur Singh Sheoran walked into the ring for her semifinal bout in the women’s super-heavyweight division (+80kg), she carried with her the weight of expectation and history. Granddaughter of the legendary Captain Hawa Singh Sheoran, India’s two-time Asian Games gold medallist and one of the earliest pioneers of Indian boxing, Nupur has often been spoken of as a torchbearer of the family’s remarkable legacy.
On Friday, she did full justice to that reputation. Facing Turkey’s Seyma Duztas, Nupur showed composure, power, and precision. She outpunched her opponent from the opening round, keeping her at bay with clean jabs before stepping in with sharp combinations. The judges’ scorecards reflected her dominance: a unanimous 5-0 decision in her favor.
This victory made Nupur only the second Indian boxer to reach the finals at this edition of the Championships, underlining her meteoric rise. Earlier in the tournament, she had overcome Uzbekistan’s Oltinoy Sotimboeva in the quarterfinals with a gritty 4-1 win, which had already assured her of a maiden Worlds medal.
For those who have followed her journey, the semifinal triumph is another step in a path marked by hard work and resilience. Hailing from Bhiwani, Haryana often dubbed India’s “mini-Cuba of boxing” Nupur was shaped at the Bhiwani Boxing Club, the same nursery that produced Olympic medallist Vijender Singh. It is the same club where long hours of no-frills training forge world-beaters.
Jaismine Lamboria: From Bhiwani to the World Stage
If Nupur’s win was about legacy, Jaismine Lamboria’s triumph was about relentless ambition. The 23-year-old entered the women’s 57kg semifinals with a calm determination and walked out with one of the most clinical performances of the Championships.
Up against Venezuela’s Omailyn Carolina Alcala Segovia, Jaismine used her superior reach and tactical nous to dictate the fight. She controlled the tempo, kept her opponent chasing shadows, and landed crisp punches at will. The result was a comprehensive 5-0 unanimous decision, a scoreline that reflected her authority.
With that, Jaismine became the first Indian to book a spot in the finals at Liverpool 2025 and the seventh Indian woman overall to reach a World Championships final.
The Bhiwani connection runs deep here as well. Jaismine, like Nupur, trained at the iconic club, and her rise adds another feather to the town’s glittering boxing heritage. Alongside Sakshi Dhanda and Nupur, she was part of the golden trio that swept medals at the Boxing World Cup earlier in the year. Their success is proof that Bhiwani continues to be the beating heart of Indian boxing.
For Jaismine, the road to the final has been as much about mental strength as technical skill. She has often spoken about the sacrifices required to compete at this level the endless hours of sparring, the punishing fitness drills, and the need to constantly adapt. Her semifinal win was a showcase of maturity, patience, and clinical execution.
She now faces her biggest test yet in the final against Julia Szeremeta of Poland, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist and one of the most formidable names in the division. Regardless of the outcome, Jaismine has already etched her name in Indian boxing history.
The twin entries into the finals and two more semifinal yet to be played it mark a significant moment for Indian women’s boxing. India has long been a respected force in the sport, thanks to the trailblazing exploits of Mary Kom and later stars like Lovlina Borgohain. But the 2025 Championships in Liverpool are beginning to look like the dawn of a new golden generation.
- Nupur Sheoran has ensured that India’s name will be in the medal tally in the heavyweight division, an area where the country has rarely made a mark.
- Jaismine Lamboria has underlined India’s depth in the featherweight category, bringing a mix of finesse and power.
Together, they have secured India two spots in the finals a feat that reflects not just individual brilliance but also the growing ecosystem of support for women’s boxing in the country.
While the semifinal wins are to be celebrated, both boxers know that the job is not done. The finals will bring tougher challenges: opponents with pedigree, experience, and their own hunger for gold.
For Nupur, the final is more than just a medal match it is a chance to stake her claim as one of the leading heavyweights in world boxing, and to continue building towards Los Angeles 2028.
For Jaismine, the clash with Szeremeta is an opportunity to test herself against an Olympic medallist, and perhaps script one of the greatest victories of her career.
As they prepare for their gold medal bouts, the message is clear: Indian women’s boxing is not just surviving; it is thriving. And in the small boxing halls of Bhiwani, young girls will be watching closely, gloves laced, ready to be the next in line.
India waits with bated breath. The finals beckon. The dream of gold feels closer than ever.
