Abhishek Mishra in Greater Noida
With 120 pugilists from 15 countries, the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals is all set to kick off at the Greater Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex from November 16 to 20. This is the first major global boxing event happening in India, since the 2023 IBA World Championship and it comes at a time when the sport is rebuilding after the suspension of the previous governing body.
“It’s a matter of great pride for our nation that the World Boxing Cup Finals are happening in India,” said Ajay Singh, BFI President. “India will contribute hugely to the development of boxing and play an important role in World Boxing itself,” Mr. Singh added.
After the Olympics, World Championships and Continental Championships, the World Boxing Cup Finals are considered the fourth most important tournament by the newly formed World Boxing which will lead Boxing to Los Angeles 2028 after the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA). The finals in Greater Noida will serve as the last international competition of the season which offers crucial 300 ranking points for a gold medal, 200 for silver, and 150 for bronze. These rankings points could change India’s positioning ahead of next year’s majors.
“As you know with this ranking championship, the points that boxers get in this tournament enables them to qualify for the Asian Games and for the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028,” says BFI president.
The World Boxing Cup Finals is the culmination of the World Cup stages conducted in Brazil and Kazakhstan, earlier this year. The best 8 performers of the season will participate in each category. However, India being the host nation, have fielded their pugilists in all 20-weight categories.
Women’s Team: India to Start with Guaranteed Medals
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has fielded a star-studded women’s team filled with multiple world champions and also some exciting young talent.
Due to a low number of entries in several weight categories, 8 Indian women boxers will directly start from the semifinals or finals, which means medals are guaranteed in those categories even before the first punch is thrown.
The most high profile pugilist in the women’s line-up is two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg). After returning empty handed from the Paris Olympics and recently concluded World Championship in Liverpool, she will begin against Uzbekistan’s Gulsevar Ganieva in the semifinals.
“After becoming World Champion in 2023 here in India, it feels special that the tournament is coming back to India again. Hopefully by winning gold here, in front of the home audience, I can begin my post-Olympics journey as an international champion,” said Nikhat.
Recently-crowned World champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) will also start from the semifinal stage, where she will be up against Ulzhan Sarsenbek of Kazakhstan.
On Sunday, Day 1, World champion Minakshi Hooda (48kg) will open the first bout for India facing Kazakhstan’s Akbota Bolat. Right after that bout, Preeti Pawar (54kg) will battle against Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova.
In the 80kg division, Worlds bronze medalist Pooja Rani has already reached the final because her category has only 3 participants, while in the 80kg plus division, 2025 Worlds silver medalist Nupur Sheoran will begin from the last-four.
Former Asian Champion Parveen Hooda (60kg), returning to the ring after completing her suspension, Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), and Neeraj Phogat (65kg) will also start from the semi-final stage.
Tokyo Olympics medalist and former World Champion, Lovelina Borgohain opted out from the tournament citing her nose injury and was replaced by Saweety Boora in the 75kg category. She will also start her bout directly from the semi-final stage.
Men’s Team: Tough draws but multiple medal chances
Indian men’s pugilists had a very unsatisfactory outing at the 2025 World Championships in Liverpool, but in their home patch they have a good chance to boost their confidence. Three Indian boxers, Sachin Siwach (60kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) and Jugnoo Ahlwawt (85kg), will start straight from the last-four phase.
In the 70kg category, in-form Hitesh Gulia will test himself against Japan’s Asian Games and former World Champion Sewon Okazawa. Hitesh had a very strong year, winning gold and silver in the Brazil and Kazakhstan World Cups.
Asian Games medallist Narender Berwal( 90kg plus) will face a tough challenge in Ukraine’s Andrii Khaletskyi, 2025 King’s Cup 2025 gold medallist.
In the 80kg division, Ankush Phogat is set to meet Japan’s Go Wakaya, a silver medallist of the previous World Boxing Cup Finals edition. Meanwhile, Sumit Kundu (75kg), Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), and Naveen Kumar (90kg) also face tough challenges from international opponents in their opening bouts.
Full Squad:
Women: Minakshi Hooda (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Parveen Hooda (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), Arundhati Chaudhary (70kg), Saweety Boora (75kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Nupur Sheoran (+80kg)
Men: Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Ankush Phogat (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Naveen Kumar (90kg), Narender (+90kg).
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz