The boxing world will turn its attention to Greater Noida next month as India prepares to host the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex from November 14 to 21.
The season-ending event will feature more than 140 boxers from 18 nations, including three Paris Olympic medalists, making it one of the most prestigious gatherings of elite pugilists under the World Boxing (WB) banner. For India, this tournament carries both competitive and symbolic significance. It is the nation’s first time hosting the Finals of the World Boxing Cup and the first major global competition to be held under the IOC-recognized World Boxing federation. A 20-member Indian squad 10 men and 10 women has been named, featuring an exciting mix of world champions, Asian champions, and rising stars.
Leading the Indian charge will be former World Champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg), reigning World Champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), reigning World Champion Minakshi (48kg), two-time Asian Champion Pooja Rani (80kg), former World Champion Saweety Boora (75kg), and World Championship silver medalist Nupur Sheoran (80+kg). Among the men, Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) both medalists from earlier World Boxing Cup stages will anchor India’s campaign, bringing strong form and international exposure into the Finals.
“Hosting the World Boxing Cup Finals is a proud moment for Indian boxing and a reflection of how far we’ve come on the global stage,” said BFI President Ajay Singh. “Bringing the world’s top nations and Olympic medallists to compete here is not just an honour, but a testament to India’s growing stature as a boxing powerhouse. Our athletes have shown they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best, and this event gives them the perfect platform to prove it once again.”
A Global Line-Up of Champions
The event will feature some of the world’s top-ranked boxers, including Aeji Im (South Korea) and Wu Shih-Yi and Chen Nien-Chin (Chinese Taipei) all Paris 2024 Olympic medalists. With over 18 nations confirmed, the Finals promise high-intensity action across all 10 men’s and 10 women’s weight categories. The competition will follow the World Boxing Technical Rules, employing the Olympic-style 10-point must scoring system. Both semifinalists in each category will be awarded bronze medals, while gold and silver will be decided on the final day, November 21.
The Indian squad also includes Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin (60kg), Sumit (75kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Naveen Kumar (90kg), and Narender (90+kg) in the men’s section, while Preeti (54kg), Parveen (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) complete the women’s lineup.
India’s Boxing Evolution Under World Boxing
This edition of the Finals represents more than just a competition it marks a strategic turning point for Indian boxing governance. Following the IOC’s recognition of World Boxing earlier this year, India’s official alignment with the new body has safeguarded the Olympic future of its athletes. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) was one of the first major Asian federations to pivot from the IBA to World Boxing, a move that was vital for maintaining eligibility for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Hosting the Finals not only validates this transition but also reinforces India’s capability to stage world-class events under globally compliant standards.
According to the World Boxing Strategic Analysis Report, India is currently ranked among the Top 5 nations globally in competitive depth, boasting five boxers in the top five of their respective categories. This places India alongside boxing heavyweights like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye.
India’s Medal Prospects: Women Lead the Charge
India’s women’s boxing program continues to be the bedrock of its international success. With 17 medals won during the 2025 World Boxing Cup stages including four golds the women’s contingent enters the Finals as serious contenders. Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), a gold medalist at the Astana World Boxing Cup, remains India’s most consistent performer, while Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) and Pooja Rani (80kg) dominate the upper weight categories. Minakshi Hooda (48kg), a rising star, also has the potential to spring surprises against more experienced international opponents.
Former World Champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) will aim for redemption after a tough quarterfinal exit at the World Championships in Liverpool earlier this year, where she lost to two-time Olympic silver medalist Buse Naz Çakıroğlu of Türkiye.
The Indian men’s team has shown flashes of brilliance in 2025. Hitesh Gulia clinched gold at the Foz do Iguaçu stage in Brazil, while Abhinash Jamwal took silver. However, the Finals will test them against the world’s best especially the dominant Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, who currently hold all world number one rankings in men’s divisions. Fighters like Jadumani Singh (50kg) and Lakshya Chahar (80kg) have shown promise, and home conditions could provide the crucial boost needed to break through at this level.
The choice of Greater Noida as the host city is no coincidence. The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, with its upgraded facilities and modern infrastructure, will serve as a showcase of India’s readiness to host major global sporting events. This event also supports India’s long-term vision of bidding for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games, demonstrating its ability to deliver world-class logistics and competition management under international standards.
A Global Season Finale with High Stakes
The World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 will serve as the culmination of the sport’s global season, bringing together top-eight ranked athletes across divisions. With national pride, world rankings, and Olympic pathways on the line, Greater Noida is set to witness a week of electrifying bouts. For India, it’s not just about medals it’s about reaffirming its identity as a rising boxing powerhouse on the world stage.
Event Dates: November 14–21, 2025
Venue: Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, Greater Noida
Participating Nations: 18
Athletes: 140+
Indian Squad: 20 boxers (10 men, 10 women)
