When the World Boxing Championships 2025 kick off at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on September 4, a new era for the sport will officially begin.
This will be the inaugural edition under World Boxing, the newly established global governing body that has replaced the IBA, and India will arrive with a formidable 20-member squad brimming with pedigree, promise, and ambition. The tournament, which runs until September 14, is set to feature over 550 boxers from 65 countries, including 17 medallists from Paris 2024, with medals on offer across 20 weight categories 10 for men and 10 for women. For India, the contingent represents not just participation, but a genuine chance to stake a claim as a global powerhouse.
The Headliners: Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen
The squad will be spearheaded by two of India’s most celebrated boxers Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg). Their presence brings both experience and gravitas, and their stories will be central to India’s campaign. For Lovlina, Liverpool represents a second act. After falling in the quarterfinals at the Paris 2024 Olympics to eventual champion Li Qian, the Assamese boxer had hinted at stepping away. But rather than retiring, she chose to reset.
Over the past year, she launched her own boxing academy in Guwahati, a personal project to “give back to the sport,” while simultaneously regaining her competitive hunger. Though her preparation for Liverpool has been short—just a month of intensive training—her experience, physical strength, and champion’s mentality make her a contender. As Lovlina herself admits, the changes under World Boxing, including revised weight categories, will test her adaptability. Yet, for a boxer who thrives under pressure, Liverpool could well be a career-defining stage.
Nikhat Zareen’s Quest for Reinvention
Nikhat Zareen, India’s most decorated active female boxer, comes into this event with her own narrative arc. A two-time IBA World Champion (2022, 2023) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, she remains India’s most technically complete pugilist. But her build-up hasn’t been smooth she withdrew from the final of the Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament earlier this year due to injury, raising questions about her sharpness. The 51kg division is stacked, featuring Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad (a three-time World Cup gold medallist), Spain’s Laura Fuertes, and the USA’s Jennifer Lozano, a Paris Olympian. For Zareen, Liverpool is both a test of resilience and an opportunity to reaffirm her dominance under a new global structure.
The Indian Women’s Squad: Strength in Depth
India’s women’s boxing has been a beacon of success in recent years, and the 2025 squad reflects both strength and transition. Alongside Lovlina and Nikhat, the roster includes:
- Meenakshi Hooda (48kg) – Astana World Cup silver medallist, rewarded for consistency.
- Sakshi (54kg) – Striking gold in Astana, she is one of the brightest rising stars.
- Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) – Another Astana gold medallist, known for her aggressive style.
- Sanju Khatri (60kg) & Neeraj Phogat (60kg) – A rare case of two entries in one category, reflecting India’s depth.
- Sanamacha Chanu (70kg) – A strong technician with youth on her side.
- Pooja Rani (80kg) – Olympian making a return on the global stage.
- Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) – World Cup gold medallist, powerful and in form.
A notable omission is Nitu Ghanghas, the Commonwealth Games champion, who missed out after trials. The decision underscores the meritocratic nature of the selection process, which prioritized recent international performances. This women’s unit is balanced blending veterans with an emerging core that has already proven itself by winning a record 11 medals at the World Boxing Cup in Astana earlier this year.
The Indian Men’s Squad: Hungry and Talented
India’s men’s team, often overshadowed by the women in recent years, has its own reasons for optimism. The roster includes:
- Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50kg)
- Pawan Bartwal (55kg)
- Sachin Siwach Jr (60kg) – Talented youth prospect.
- Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) – World Cup silver medallist.
- Hitesh Gulia (70kg) – World Cup gold and silver medallist, in strong form.
- Sumit Kundu (75kg) – Experienced and consistent.
- Lakshya Chahar (80kg)
- Jugnoo Ahlawat (85kg) – World Cup silver medallist.
- Harsh Chaudhary (90kg)
- Narender Berwal (90+kg) – Asian Games bronze medallist, powerful presence.
The men’s side has often lacked medal conversions at the biggest stage, but recent performances in the World Boxing Cup suggest progress. Gulia, Jamwal, and Berwal stand out as boxers capable of pushing deep into the tournament. The Liverpool championships are not just another global event; they are the first under World Boxing’s governance. This shift from IBA carries significant implications:
- Knockout Format: Olympic-style progression, with both losing semifinalists guaranteed bronze.
- Weight Category Adjustments: Some boxers, including Lovlina, had to adapt to new classes.
- Regulatory Framework: Stricter guidelines, including mandatory sex-testing for women, have already caused controversy Taiwan’s Olympic champion Lin Yu-ting withdrew under these rules.
For India, the test will be how quickly its boxers adapt to these structural changes while maintaining the momentum built under the old system.
India’s Recent Form: The Astana Boost
The team’s confidence is rooted in its historic medal haul at the World Boxing Cup in Astana earlier this year—11 medals (3 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze). This was India’s best-ever return from an international competition of this scale.
- Gold: Sakshi (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Nupur Sheoran (80+kg)
- Silver: Meenakshi (48kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg), Jugnoo Ahlawat (85kg)
- Bronze: Sanju Khatri (60kg), Nikhil Dubey (75kg), Narender Berwal (90+kg)
This momentum has directly influenced selections for Liverpool, with medal winners forming the core of the contingent. The results also signal depth across multiple weight divisions, something India has historically lacked.
Medal Prospects: Who to Watch
While predicting medals is always fraught, India has genuine podium hopes in Liverpool.
- Nikhat Zareen (51kg) – If she overcomes her injury setback, she remains one of the top contenders in her division.
- Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) – The Olympic medallist’s experience could help her navigate a stacked field, though her short preparation window is a concern.
- Sakshi (54kg) – In red-hot form after Astana gold.
- Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) – Riding high after consistent international performances.
- Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) – Big-hitting heavyweight with confidence from her World Cup triumph.
- Narender Berwal (90+kg) – A dark horse; his physicality makes him dangerous in the super-heavyweight bracket.
The men’s medals may be harder to come by, but Hitesh Gulia and Abhinash Jamwal are capable of springing surprises.
The championships will follow a clear structure:
- Quarterfinals: September 10
- Semifinals: September 12–13
- Finals: September 14
With 20 champions to be crowned, India will measure success not just in medals but in the overall depth of performance. Reaching multiple quarterfinals and semifinals would mark progress, while a handful of podium finishes could establish India as a true force under World Boxing’s banner. The World Boxing Championships 2025 represent a turning point. For India, this is about more than just medals it is about making a statement in a sport under new governance and proving that the country’s boxing program can thrive in any framework. Led by Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen, supported by an ambitious new generation fresh off success in Astana, this 20-member squad embodies both continuity and change.
If Liverpool delivers as hoped, it could signal the beginning of a sustained golden phase for Indian boxing. As the bouts begin in Liverpool, one thing is certain: India arrives not as participants, but as contenders.
