New Delhi: India’s top boxers are gearing up for a power-packed performance as the World Boxing Cup Finals begin here on Sunday, marking the last major event of the season. With crucial ranking points on offer—and next year’s Asian Games and Commonwealth Games on the horizon—Indian pugilists are targeting both a strong finish and a rankings boost.
The World Cup series, introduced earlier this year after World Boxing took over the sport’s governance, will now culminate in its inaugural finals. Medal winners from the three World Cups held this season, along with top-ranked boxers, have qualified for the event. As hosts, India will field a full squad across all men’s and women’s weight categories.
Nikhat Zareen Leads Women’s Challenge
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) headlines India’s women’s contingent. The Telangana boxer, who reached the World Championships quarterfinals this year, enters the event as one of the nation’s strongest medal contenders.
Reigning world champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Meenakshi Hooda (48kg), world medallist Pooja Rani (80kg) and heavyweight boxer Nupur (80+kg) will aim to extend their impressive form.
Preeti Pawar (54kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) and Parveen Hooda (60kg) make a return to the national squad and are eager to leave a strong mark in their comeback tournament.
Hopes on Jamwal, Gulia in Men’s Draw
India’s men’s campaign at the World Championships earlier this year was underwhelming, and attention now shifts to Abhinash Jamwal and Hitesh Gulia, both of whom reached World Cup finals in the first half of the season.
With several top global names skipping the event after a packed calendar, the finals—starting directly from the quarterfinal stage—give Indian men’s boxers an opportunity to regain lost ground.
18 Nations, 130 Boxers to Compete
The tournament, to be held at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium, will feature around 130 boxers from 18 countries, including Olympic medallists, ensuring a high-quality competitive field.
India’s Squad
Women:
Meenakshi (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), Parveen Hooda (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), Sweety (75kg), Pooja Rani (80kg), Nupur Sheoran (80+kg)
Men:
Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Ankush Phogat (80kg), Jugnu (85kg), Naveen Kumar (90kg), Narendra (90+kg)
With a full-strength squad, home advantage and vital ranking points at stake, Indian boxers will be eager to close the year on a high.
