Led by Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen, a 20-member Indian squad will compete against the world’s best at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool, scheduled from September 4 to 14 at the M&S Bank Arena.
This will be the first edition of the event organised by World Boxing, the newly formed global governing body for the sport. The biennial competition will feature top amateur boxers from across the globe, with India arriving in strong form after bagging 17 medals across the World Boxing Cups in Brazil and Kazakhstan earlier this year.
At the Brazil leg, India won six medals, including gold for Hitesh and silver for Abhinash Jamwal, while the Kazakhstan event saw the contingent claim 11 more medals, including three golds. Among the highlights was Nupur Sheoran’s heavyweight gold, reflecting India’s growing strength across categories.
“Our preparation in Sheffield has been nothing short of exceptional. This team is a powerful mix of seasoned campaigners who have stood on the podium before, and a new wave of incredibly talented young boxers who are ready to make their mark. The belief we have in this group is absolute, and we are fully prepared for every challenge the World Championships will throw at us,” said Dharmendra Singh Yadav, coach of the men’s team.
Echoing that confidence, Dr. Chandralal, coach of the women’s team, remarked, “The dedication and hard work I’ve seen from this team are truly inspiring. We’ve done the work, we’ve laid the groundwork, and now we are ready to showcase the true fighting spirit of Indian women’s boxing.”
The squad is spearheaded by Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Nikhat Zareen (51kg), alongside medal-winning names such as Hitesh (70kg), Abhinash (65kg), Nupur (80+kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Minakshi (48kg), Sakshi (54kg), Jaismine (57kg), Sanju (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), and T. Sanamacha Chanu (70kg).
The men’s team features promising young talents including Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin (60kg), Sumit (75kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg) and Narender (90+kg), showcasing India’s depth and balance across divisions.
All athletes underwent an intensive training camp in Sheffield from August 18 to September 1, under the supervision of the head coaches, supported by Oinam Geeta Chanu, Leishangthem Radia Devi, Mohammed Aitesamuddin, Abhishek Sah, Torak Kharpran, and Jaisingh Dyandev Patil, with medical and fitness support from physiotherapists Sumya Jyoti Halder and Alok Kumar, and doctor Yesha Vijaykumar Patel.
The camp focused on refining technique, tactical preparation, and conditioning, ensuring the Indian team heads into the championships well-prepared. With world-class names and emerging stars across all weight categories, India looks set to make a strong impact on the global stage in Liverpool.