World Boxing Cup Finals: Nikhat Zareen, Minakshi Hooda among winners as India win medals in all 20 categories, but here’s why we shouldn’t read too much into it

The World Boxing Cup Finals is a tournament incorporated for the first time in the calendar of the new international body of the sport that allows eight boxers to compete in every category, starting from the quarter-finals. However, the tournament lacked substantial competition and participation from the top brass of amateur boxing in the world. Only two reigning World champions from the 2025 World Championships and very few boxers from the top eight of the World Boxing rankings turned up at the tournament, while India fielded a full 20-boxer team by virtue of being the host.

In the women’s category, from 80 available spots across ten weight categories, only 44 women’s boxers turned up, with only three boxers participating in the 75 kg and 80 kg categories. Men’s categories had better numbers with 65 boxers showing up and a full roster of eight boxers each in the 70 kg and 90 kg categories.

Sachin won gold for India in Men’s 60kg weight category at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025. (BFI)

“We invited all the top boxers, but a few of them have opted out. However, the tournament is a good push for the Indian boxers who didn’t get to play much this year due to global boxing politics. They got the exposure to play in front of their home crowd,” Boxing Federation of India Ajay Singh had said ahead of the tournament.

Lack of competition

In the women’s categories, three Indian boxers won medals despite losing their only bout. In the 65 kg and the 75 kg categories, Neeraj Phogat and Saweety Boora lost in their respective semi-finals but finished with a medal. Similarly, in the 80kg category, Pooja Rani directly played the final and lost to World champion Agata Kaczmarska of Poland to finish with silver.

Powerhouses in amateur men’s boxing, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, had sent their third-string and second-string teams, respectively, while Brazil didn’t show up for the event.

When asked about their participation in the tournament, Uzbek head coach Rakhmatjon Ruziakhunov told The Indian Express: “We are here just to practice. This is our third-string team and we wanted them to have some good exposure. The idea is to give some rest to the main team, so they get ready for the next season which is packed and meanwhile, keep strengthening the bench also.”

Notable performers

While there was lack of substantial competition in multiple categories, India had some notable performers too. Returning from a long layoff due to Hepatitis A during the Olympics, Preeti Pawar won three bouts on her way to the gold medal. She dominated the reigning World champion and Olympic medallist Huang Hsiao-wen of Chinese Taipei in the semis and took down World championships bronze medallist Sirine Charaabi of Italy in the final.

Asian Games bronze medallist Parveen Hooda returned from a doping whereabouts ban to win gold and took down World championships silver medallist Aneta Rygielska of Poland on the way. “I think this tournament has given us a chance to assess what our strengths are and how our boxers are shaping up against the world. Boxers such as Ankush and Neeraj Phogat got a chance to compete at the top level,” an Indian coach said on condition of anonymity.

Friction in BFI

Meanwhile, fresh signs of friction have emerged in the Boxing Federation of India as some members of the current executive council and state units have expressed their dissatisfaction with current president Ajay Singh. At the Special General Meeting (SGM) held on Thursday in Greater Noida, a “no confidence motion” was presented to the current regime with 28 signatures.

Stating ongoing issues like the amendment of the constitution members from different member units signed a document in possession with the Indian Express.

However, President Ajay Singh rubbished the claims saying that it is an incorrect one. ” There was an SGM today, and unfortunately a no-confidence motion was brought with 28 signatures. But the claim that it came from three-fourths of the members is absolutely incorrect,” Singh told reporters. “Many of the signatories are not even members. And the same members have also signed another petition expressing confidence in me, in significantly larger numbers,” He added further.

The general elections of BFI were delayed from February to August due to the similar issues but in August, the elections were held with Ajay Singh returning as president.

“These issues are decided through elections and the elections held this year were certified by World Boxing and recognised the Government of India. Our focus should on boxing and not these petty things which are distracting,” Ajay said.

FULL LIST OF INDIAN MEDALLISTS:

Gold: Minakshi Hooda (women’s 48 kg), Nikhat Zareen (women’s 51 kg), Preeti Pawar (women’s 54 kg), Jaismine (women’s 57 kg), Parveen Hooda (women’s 60 kg), Arundhati Chaudary (women’s 70 kg), Nupur (women’s 80+ kg), Sachin Siwach (men’s 60 kg), Hitesh Gulia (men’s 70 kg)

Silver: Pooja Rani (women’s 80 kg), Jadumani Singh (men’s 50 kg), Pawan Bartwal (men’s 55 kg), Abhinash Jamwal (men’s 65 kg), Ankush (men’s 80 kg), Narender Berwal (men’s 90+ kg)

Bronze: Sumit (men’s 75 kg), Jugnoo (men’s 85 kg), Naveen Kumar (men’s 90 kg), Saweety Boora (women’s 75 kg), Neeraj Phogat (women’s 65 kg)