The World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 will officially raise the curtain on Sunday at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, marking the start of a landmark five-day celebration of elite global boxing.
With more than 120 world-class athletes from 15 nations arriving in Greater Noida, India finds itself at the centre of the boxing world for the first time since its breakthrough hosting run at the 2023 World Championships. The draw, announced earlier in the day, set up a series of compelling matchups for the hosts. World Champion Minakshi Hooda, along with Preeti, Narender Berwal, and Ankush Phangal, will spearhead India’s opening-day charge in what promises to be an action-packed start to the tournament.
Minakshi vs Akbota: High-Stakes 48kg Opener for India
India’s campaign will begin with the spotlight squarely on Minakshi (48kg), fresh off her Liverpool 2025 World Championships gold. She faces Kazakhstan’s Bolat Akbota, a dangerous opponent known for her compact guard and counter-punching ability. As the first Indian to step into the ring at this year’s Finals, Minakshi’s bout sets the tone for India’s week-long challenge.
Following her is a marquee clash in the 54kg category, where Preeti takes on Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova, a former Youth World champion and Asian Games medalist. With the winner advancing to a blockbuster quarterfinal against Olympic medalist and top seed Huang Hsiao-Wen of Chinese Taipei, the stakes could not be higher. The contest is expected to be tactical, with both boxers possessing sharp footwork and a strong inside game.
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The men’s draw has delivered equally gripping encounters.
In the 80kg division, Ankush Phangal meets Japan’s Go Wakaya, the Sheffield 2024 silver medalist. Wakaya’s rangy style and excellent distance management make him one of the trickiest opponents in the field, while Ankush will rely on his high work rate and strong mid-range exchanges to unsettle the Japanese boxer. In the 90+kg category, heavyweight force Narender Berwal faces a demanding quarterfinal matchup against Ukraine’s Andrii Khaletskyi, the King’s Cup 2025 gold medalist. Berwal, an Asian Games and World Cup bronze medalist, enters with momentum and power, setting up what could be one of the most explosive bouts of Day 1.
Further into the week, India will see two more heavyweights of the sport take centre stage. Brazil World Cup gold medalist Hitesh is lined up for a marquee 70kg bout against top seed Sewon Okazawa, while two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen enters directly into the semifinals, where she awaits Uzbekistan’s Gulsevar Ganieva.
Opening Ceremony Captures India’s Cultural and Sporting Spirit
Saturday’s grand opening ceremony set the stage for the tournament’s high-intensity action. A traditional lamp-lighting ceremony with delegations from all participating nations was followed by a vibrant parade of athletes. A curated cultural showcase featuring music and dance celebrated India’s heritage before the Games were declared open.
The event was presided over by BFI President Ajay Singh, World Boxing Cup Organising Secretary and BFI General Secretary Pramod Kumar, and Acting World Boxing Secretary General Mike McAtee, who jointly inaugurated the Finals.
Addressing the gathering, Ajay Singh said,
“This truly is a celebration of excellence. We have the top boxers from across the world competing here. This is a great moment for our sport and for our country. India is fully committed to supporting World Boxing now and for many such championships in the future.”
Singh further emphasised the impact boxing has on youth in India:
“In our country, boxing is not just a sport it inspires generations. Every gold, every victory brings hundreds of young children closer to their dreams.”
McAtee echoed those sentiments, applauding India’s commitment:
“It’s an honour to witness the first World Boxing Cup Finals here in India. The leadership, the organisation, and the passion behind this event are exceptional. The athletes have grown immensely this year—from Brazil to India—and the boxing will be amazing.”
Key dignitaries including Surinder Singh, Krishna (Administrator, SVSP Complex), R.P. Singh (Sports Director, UP Government), and Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Naagar were present, underscoring the national significance of the event.
A Historic Moment for Indian Boxing
This year marks India’s first time hosting the Finale Championships with a full 20-member squad, ensuring representation in each of the 20 weight categories 10 for men and 10 for women. Selection was based strictly on the Official World Boxing Rankings, guaranteeing a field of elite competitors in every division.
With multiple Olympic and World Championships medalists in the mix, the level of competition stands among the highest in the event’s history. India enters the Finals in strong form, having secured six medals in Stage 1 in Brazil and 11 medals, including three gold, in Stage 3 in Kazakhstan earlier in the season. With ranking points at stake in every bout, the outcomes this week will directly influence India’s global standing in the sport.
As the action begins in Greater Noida, the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 mark not just the return of top-tier international boxing to India, but also the emergence of a new, confident era for the nation’s young and accomplished athletes.
