Day 2 of the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool promises to be a pivotal one for India, as four of its pugilists step into the ring for their preliminary bouts.
After Day 1 victories by Pawan Bartwal, Sakshi, and Sanamacha Chanu, the Indian contingent is looking to build momentum and strengthen its campaign at this inaugural edition of the championships under the newly formed governing body, World Boxing. This new era of boxing comes with both opportunities and challenges. While the championships bring together over 550 boxers from more than 65 nations, including Olympic medallists from Paris 2024, they are also overshadowed by controversial reforms—most notably the mandatory genetic sex eligibility policy that has already sparked global debate.
Against this backdrop, India’s athletes enter the ring carrying not just sporting ambition but also the weight of proving their resilience on the biggest stage.
India’s Day 2 Bout Card (IST Timings)
- Neeraj Phogat (IND) vs Krista Kovalainen (FIN) – Women’s 65kg | 4:15 PM | Ring B
- Sumit Kundu (IND) vs Mohammad Alhussien (JOR) – Men’s 75kg | 5:30 PM | Ring A
- Jaismine Lamboria (IND) vs Daria Hutarina (UKR) – Women’s 57kg | 11:15 PM | Ring B
- Narender Berwal (IND) vs Martin McDonagh (IRL) – Men’s 90+kg | 12:40 AM | Ring A
Bout Previews and Storylines for Indian matches at World Boxing Championships 2025
Neeraj Phogat vs Krista Kovalainen
Neeraj Phogat’s return to the global stage is one of the most compelling narratives of the tournament. After serving a four-year doping ban that ended in 2023, she made a stunning comeback by winning the 2025 national title in the 65kg category. This will be her first major international appearance since her suspension, and the stakes could not be higher.
Her opponent, Finland’s Krista Kovalainen, brings deep experience, having fought 91 bouts across a decade-long career. With a balanced record of wins and losses in 2025, she poses a stern test of consistency and ring craft. This clash is a classic case of momentum versus experience Phogat’s fiery resurgence against Kovalainen’s seasoned endurance.
Sumit Kundu vs Mohammad Alhussien
The men’s 75kg division sees Sumit Kundu, a fighter whose career is defined by resilience, back in the limelight. Hailing from Haryana, Sumit temporarily left the sport to support his family after his father’s death, working as a security guard before returning to the ring. His rise has been remarkable gold at the Thailand Open (2022), Senior Nationals (2021), and a World Championships quarterfinal finish. His opponent, Jordan’s Mohammad Alhussien, is relatively less known internationally but has represented his country at the Asian Youth & Junior Championships.
While the matchup looks favorable on paper, this bout will be a litmus test for Sumit’s return from injury and his ability to carry India’s medal hopes in the middleweight division.
Jaismine Lamboria vs Daria Hutarina
Jaismine Lamboria is no stranger to pressure. A bronze medallist at both the 2021 Asian Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and a Paris 2024 Olympian, she enters this tournament determined to reset her international career after an early Olympic exit. Back in her preferred 57kg featherweight category, Jaismine’s strategy is clear focus, rebuild, and push for a deep run. Her opponent, Ukraine’s Daria Hutarina, represents a challenging hurdle in a division stacked with talent, including Olympic medallists like Julia Szeremeta (Poland) and Jucielen Romeu (Brazil).
For Jaismine, victory here is more than progression it’s a confidence-building step toward reclaiming her status among the world’s elite.
Narender Berwal vs Martin McDonagh
India’s super heavyweight veteran, Narender Berwal, brings vast experience and grit into his clash against Ireland’s Martin McDonagh. With a bronze medal from the 2022 Asian Games and over 40 amateur bouts under his belt, Berwal embodies consistency for the Indian men’s team. The bout will test Berwal’s ability to harness his power and discipline in a division often decided by sheer explosiveness.
A win here would not only boost his individual campaign but also inject morale into India’s entire men’s squad, which is entering this tournament with fresh faces and high expectations.
While athletes fight for glory inside the ring, the championships themselves are a test of the sport’s new governance. The genetic sex testing policy has already excluded entire teams, such as France’s women’s squad, and sidelined high-profile Olympic champions like Algeria’s Imane Khelif. India, in contrast, smoothly navigated the process, with all 10 women boxers cleared to compete following advanced testing in Patiala.
This administrative efficiency highlights India’s growing stature not just as a boxing powerhouse but also as a federation adept at navigating the evolving global sporting landscape.
Day 2 of the World Championships could be a defining marker of India’s campaign. With fighters returning from bans, injuries, and Olympic disappointments, each bout represents a story of resilience and reinvention. Strong performances today could set the tone for deeper runs into the tournament and position India as a serious medal contender on the global stage. As the action unfolds at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, Indian fans will watch closely hoping that Day 2 becomes the launchpad for another chapter of success in India’s boxing journey.
