India has officially announced a power-packed 20-member squad for the inaugural edition of the World Boxing Championships 2025, set to take place from September 5 to 14 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Leading the contingent are Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen, both returning to the international ring for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Organised by the newly formed global governing body, World Boxing, the tournament will feature over 550 boxers from more than 65 countries, including 17 Olympic medallists from Paris 2024. The competition will span 20 weight categories—10 each for men and women—and follow a knockout format. Each bout will consist of three three-minute rounds, judged using the “Ten Point Must” scoring system.
🧭 India’s Full Squad for World Boxing Championships 2025
| Gender | Boxer Name | Weight Category |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Meenakshi Hooda | 48kg |
| Women | Nikhat Zareen | 51kg |
| Women | Sakshi | 54kg |
| Women | Jaismine Lamboria | 57kg |
| Women | Sanju Khatri | 60kg |
| Women | Neeraj Phogat | 60kg |
| Women | Sanamacha Chanu | 70kg |
| Women | Lovlina Borgohain | 75kg |
| Women | Pooja Rani | 80kg |
| Women | Nupur Sheoran | 80+kg |
| Men | Jadumani Singh Mandengbam | 50kg |
| Men | Pawan Bartwal | 55kg |
| Men | Sachin Siwach Jr | 60kg |
| Men | Abhinash Jamwal | 65kg |
| Men | Hitesh Gulia | 70kg |
| Men | Sumit Kundu | 75kg |
| Men | Lakshya Chahar | 80kg |
| Men | Jugnoo Ahlawat | 85kg |
| Men | Harsh Chaudhary | 90kg |
| Men | Narender Berwal | 90+kg |
The squad was finalized after a week-long assessment camp at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, with selections based on performance, fitness, and international experience.
🔍 Spotlight on Lovlina and Nikhat: India’s Medal Hopes
Lovlina Borgohain will compete in the 75kg category, while Nikhat Zareen returns to her dominant 51kg division. Both boxers are expected to be India’s top medal contenders, having previously delivered on the world stage.
| Boxer Name | Weight Class | Career Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lovlina Borgohain | 75kg | Olympic bronze (Tokyo 2020), World bronze |
| Nikhat Zareen | 51kg | Two-time World Champion, CWG gold |
| Pooja Rani | 80kg | Asian Champion, Olympian |
Their return to competition after Paris 2024 adds depth and experience to the squad, with fans and analysts alike expecting podium finishes.
📉 Format and Schedule of the Championships
The World Boxing Championships 2025 will follow a single-elimination format. Losing semi-finalists will both receive bronze medals, while winners progress to the finals.
| Stage | Date(s) | Format Details |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Bouts | Sept 5–9 | Preliminary rounds |
| Quarter-finals | Sept 10 | Top 8 boxers per category |
| Semi-finals | Sept 12–13 | Top 4 boxers per category |
| Finals | Sept 14 | Gold and silver medal bouts |
Each bout will be judged using the “Ten Point Must” scoring system, with three rounds of three minutes each.
🔥 Rising Stars to Watch
While Lovlina and Nikhat headline the squad, several young boxers are expected to make a mark.
| Boxer Name | Weight Class | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Abhinash Jamwal | 65kg | World Boxing Cup gold medallist |
| Hitesh Gulia | 70kg | World Boxing Cup gold medallist |
| Narender Berwal | 90+kg | Asian Games bronze medallist |
| Sanamacha Chanu | 70kg | Youth World Champion |
| Jaismine Lamboria | 57kg | CWG bronze medallist |
These athletes represent the next generation of Indian boxing, blending power, agility, and tactical intelligence.
🧠 Expert Commentary and Federation Outlook
| Expert Name | Role | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Meera Iyer | Boxing Analyst | “India’s squad is the strongest we’ve seen in years.” |
| Rajiv Bansal | Sports Commentator | “Lovlina and Nikhat bring experience and hunger.” |
| Dr. Rakesh Sinha | Sports Psychologist | “Mental resilience will be key in knockout formats.” |
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation and believes India can secure multiple medals.
📦 India’s Historical Performance at World Championships
India has steadily improved its performance at global boxing events, with women leading the medal tally in recent years.
| Year | Host City | Medals Won | Notable Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | New Delhi | 4 medals | Mary Kom (gold), Lovlina (bronze) |
| 2022 | Istanbul | 3 medals | Nikhat Zareen (gold), Manisha (bronze) |
| 2023 | Tashkent | 2 medals | Deepak Bhoria (silver), Preeti (bronze) |
| 2025 | Liverpool | TBD | Strong medal prospects |
India’s growing presence in world boxing is a result of improved infrastructure, coaching, and exposure to international competition.
📌 Conclusion
With Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen leading a formidable 20-member squad, India enters the World Boxing Championships 2025 with high hopes and a well-rounded team. The blend of Olympic experience and emerging talent positions India as a serious contender for multiple medals. As the action unfolds in Liverpool, fans will be watching closely to see if this squad can deliver a historic performance on the global stage.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available sports reports and federation announcements as of September 3, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute coaching, betting, or legal advice.
