Indian boxing fans have every reason to be excited as two of the country’s brightest stars, Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain, are set to lead a formidable 20-member Indian squad at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025. Scheduled to take place in Liverpool, England, from September 4 to 14, this tournament will be the first under the newly formed international governing body, World Boxing, making it a historic event for the sport globally and for Indian boxing.
A Historic Moment: The Inaugural World Boxing Championships
This is a landmark tournament as the World Boxing Championships is being held for the first time by the new international federation that now oversees amateur boxing, marking a fresh era ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The event will feature:
- Competitions in 20 weight divisions: 10 each for men and women
- Over 500 boxers from 60 countries expected to compete
- Olympic-style bouts in all divisions, promising stiff global competition
India’s squad was finalized after a rigorous week-long selection process at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, where boxers competed in a round-robin format to test their skills, endurance, mindset, and resilience.
Nikhat and Lovlina: The Stars Leading the Charge
Both Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain bring tremendous pedigree and experience to the championship.
Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) is a two-time world champion known for her sharp technical skills and tactical ring intelligence. She is making a return to the global scene after competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics and aims to add another world title under the new governing body.
Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg), Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, brings power and grit in the ring. After switching to the 75 kg category, Lovlina is keen to secure her third world championship medal and push India to new heights in women’s boxing.
Their comeback to the international boxing arena is highly anticipated, and both are among the most confident medal contenders in the Indian squad.
Other Key Indian Contenders in the Lineup
India’s 20-member team balances proven champions and emerging talents. Notable names include:
Sakshi Chaudhary, Nupur Sheoran, and Jaismine Lamboria – recently crowned World Boxing Cup champions
Pooja Rani – Olympian competing in the women’s 80 kg category
Indian Women’s Squad Highlights:
- Meenakshi Hooda (48 kg)
- Nikhat Zareen (51 kg)
- Sakshi Chaudhary (54 kg)
- Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg)
- Sanju Khatri (60 kg)
- Neeraj Phogat (65 kg)
- Sanamacha Chanu (70 kg)
- Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg)
- Pooja Rani (80 kg)
- Nupur Sheoran (80+ kg)
What Makes This Championship Special for India?
- It’s the first World Championships under a new governing body introducing fresh competition standards.
- Nikhat and Lovlina’s returns are highly symbolic, representing a new chapter post-Paris Olympics.
- The team has been rigorously tested in the lead-up through national camps and tournaments like the Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad.
- India is aiming for a strong medal haul with a balanced team of experienced and young boxers.
FAQs About India’s Participation in the World Boxing Championships 2025
1. When and where will the World Boxing Championships 2025 be held?
The championships are scheduled from September 4 to 14, 2025, in Liverpool, England.
2. Who are the marquee Indian boxers leading the squad?
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) and Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) will lead the Indian team.
3. How was the Indian squad selected?
The team was finalized after a week-long, exhaustive assessment camp at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, involving round-robin bouts.
4. What is unique about this World Boxing Championships?
It’s the inaugural event organized by the newly-formed World Boxing federation and features 20 weight classes with Olympic-style bouts.
5. Which other Indian boxers are expected to perform well?
World Boxing Cup champions like Sakshi Chaudhary, Nupur Sheoran, and promising men’s boxers like Abhinash Jamwal and Hitesh Gulia are key medal hopefuls.
Conclusion: New Horizons for Indian Boxing at the World Stage
With stars like Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain at the forefront, India’s squad enters the first-ever World Boxing Championships under the new federation with high hopes. This event not only heralds a new era in boxing governance but also provides India an ideal platform to showcase its growing prowess on the global stage. Fans can expect spirited fights, emerging talents, and a quest for top honors that could elevate Indian boxing’s global stature ahead of the Paris and Los Angeles Olympics.
