India enters a record 15 finals at the World Boxing Cup 2025. [Photo: PTI]
India is on the edge of its biggest achievement in world boxing. The country entered the finals of the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 with 15 boxers — eight women and seven men. The event is being held in Greater Noida and features elite athletes from 16 nations and more than 130 competitors. Yet India has taken complete control of the tournament.
At the centre of this success is Nikhat Zareen, who once again proved why she is India’s most reliable star. The two-time world champion reached the 51kg final with a clean 5-0 win over Uzbekistan’s Gulsevar Ganieva, a promising CIS Games gold medallist. Nikhat dominated all three rounds with her sharp movement and accurate punches. Her win also reflects India’s growing command across weight categories.
India’s women have been the strongest force in the tournament. Preeti Pawar (54kg) produced the biggest upset of the competition. She outclassed Tokyo Olympic medallist and three-time world champion Huang Hsiao Wen. Preeti used smart angles, controlled distance, and never allowed Huang to settle.
Arundhati Choudhary marked her comeback after a 1.5-year break by defeating Germany’s Leonie Miller via RSC. Her power and pressure ended the contest early. World champion Minakshi (48kg) continued her flawless run. She secured a confident 5-0 victory against Korea's Bak Cho-rong.
Strong wins from Nupur Sheoran, Parveen, and others show why India’s women’s team — previously ranked No. 2 in the world — is now close to becoming the top-ranked squad globally.
The men’s side, often overshadowed by the women in recent years, has produced a major revival. Seven Indian men have entered the finals after defeating world champions, continental medal winners, and top-seeded boxers.
Pawan Bartwal (55kg) has become the surprise star of the tournament. He defeated Brazil’s World Cup gold medallist Altynbek Nursultan with a commanding 5-0 decision.
Jadumani Singh impressed the home crowd with active footwork and explosive combinations. Narender Berwal (90+kg) powered his way into the final with his trademark aggression. Wins from Sumit, Naveen, Ankush, Abhinash, and Hitesh reflect the new depth and confidence in Indian men’s boxing.
These finals mean far more than medals. Ranking points from the World Cup will directly affect seeding at the 2026 Asian Games, the next Olympic qualification cycle, and global rankings. India has already moved from world rank 44 to among the top five nations.
A new angle emerging from this performance is India’s shift toward a high-performance sports ecosystem. Improved training infrastructure, sports science support, foreign coaches, and long-term athlete funding have helped Indian boxing enter a new era. The results in Greater Noida show how India is no longer chasing strong nations — it is competing as one of them.
