World Boxing Cup Finals 2025: Nikhat, Jaismine, and Hitesh Headline India’s Strong 20-Member Squad in Greater Noida
- TPP
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain to miss World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 due to nasal surgery; Nikhat Zareen, Jaismine Lamboria, and Pooja Rani to lead India’s golden charge in her absence.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced a power-packed 20-member Indian contingent for the upcoming World Boxing Cup Finals 2025, scheduled to take place from November 14 to 21 at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida.
The prestigious global event — which marks the culmination of the annual World Boxing Cup series — will witness over 140 elite boxers from 18 nations, including Paris 2024 Olympic medallists, competing across 10 weight categories for the coveted World Boxing Cup Trophy.
India’s Squad: A Blend of Experience and Emerging Talent
The Indian women’s squad is a formidable unit led by former and reigning world champions, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars.The 10-member women’s team includes:
Nikhat Zareen (51kg) — Two-time World Champion and one of India’s most celebrated boxers.
Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) — Reigning World Champion and Asian Games medallist known for her aggressive boxing style.
Minakshi Hooda (48kg) — World Champion with sharp technical precision.
Pooja Rani (80kg) — Two-time Asian Champion, known for her counter-punching strength.
Saweety Boora (75kg) — Former World Champion stepping into the 75kg division for the first time this season.
Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) — World Championship silver medallist and a powerhouse in her category.
Preeti Pawar (54kg), Parveen (60kg), Neeraj Phogat (65kg), and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) complete the women’s line-up.
Meanwhile, the 10-member men’s team promises youth and depth, led by two proven performers:
Hitesh (70kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) — both medallists from earlier stages of the World Boxing Cup 2025 season, bring momentum and confidence into the finals.
The rest of the men’s squad includes Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Sachin (60kg), Sumit (75kg), Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Jugnoo (85kg), Naveen Kumar (90kg), and Narender (90+kg) — representing a wide spectrum of India’s boxing prowess.
Global Competition: Olympic and World Champions in Action
Adding to the tournament’s prestige, the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 will feature three Paris 2024 Olympic medallists —
Im Ae-ji (South Korea, 54kg),
Wu Shih-Yi (Chinese Taipei, 60kg), and
Chen Nien-Chin (Chinese Taipei, 66kg) —all of whom secured bronze medals at the Paris Games.
They will be joined by multiple World Cup and World Championship gold medallists from across the globe, ensuring fierce competition in Greater Noida.
Ajay Singh, President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), expressed pride at India hosting the event:
“Hosting the World Boxing Cup Finals is a proud moment for Indian boxing and a reflection of how far we’ve come on the global stage. Bringing the world’s top nations and Olympic medallists to compete here is a testament to India’s growing stature as a boxing powerhouse.”
Women’s Team: Scientific Training and Strategic Preparation
The Indian women’s boxing contingent enters the Finals riding high after a stellar performance at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool, where four Indian pugilists (boxers) secured medals — including two golds.
National women’s boxing head coach D. Chandralal, the architect of this success and a veteran who has previously trained legends like MC Mary Kom and L. Sarita Devi, believes in a scientific, multi-phase training system known as multiple periodization.
What is Multiple Periodization?
In sports science, periodization refers to dividing the training schedule into specific cycles that help athletes peak (reach top performance levels) at the right time during major tournaments. Chandralal explains:
“In the last three months, our boxers have already peaked twice — once during the World Cup and then the World Championships. Now, they have to peak again for the Finals. It requires scientific planning, proper conditioning, and teamwork.”
He adds that modern athletes need to peak five to six times a year, unlike earlier when only one or two major peaks were planned. “It’s a tough cycle, but our team is adapting brilliantly,” he said.
Lovlina Borgohain Absent; Others Step Up
One of India’s biggest boxing stars, Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, will miss the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 due to a nasal surgery.Confirming her absence, coach Chandralal said:
“Lovlina has stepped down because of nasal issues. She needs recovery time before returning to the ring.”
Filling that gap, Saweety Boora has shifted down from her usual 80kg category to compete in 75kg, showcasing her adaptability and readiness to keep India’s medal hopes alive.
Rising Stars and Redemption Stories
Jaismine Lamboria’s Comeback
One of the most inspiring transformations this season has been Jaismine Lamboria’s rise. Once struggling for form, the Haryana boxer has evolved into a confident, attacking force.
“Earlier, Jaismine was always on the counter. Now, she’s more aggressive and balanced,” said Chandralal. “Her strength and reach make her perfect for long-distance boxing, but she’s also become explosive in close-range fights.”
Nikhat Zareen’s Return to Form
Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen had a quiet return to the international stage in Liverpool, something the coach attributes to a long layoff post-Olympics.
“Nikhat had not done her conditioning homework after the break,” Chandralal admitted. “But she’s now training hard and rebuilding her form. Her category (51kg) is stacked with global talent, but we can expect her to deliver a medal this time.”
Parveen Hooda’s Comeback After Suspension
Another major storyline is the return of Parveen Hooda (60kg), who was suspended for whereabouts failure just before the Paris Games — a doping compliance issue where athletes fail to report their location for mandatory testing. Now back in training, Parveen faces a steep climb.
“She’s regaining fitness, but it takes time. The 60kg category is the toughest Olympic division,” said Chandralal. “With more conditioning, she’ll be ready for top-level bouts soon.”
Inside India’s Preparation: Science Meets Skill
India’s national coaching team has adopted an integrated training model, combining sports science, strength conditioning, and mental coaching.Chandralal emphasizes that recovery, nutrition, and periodization must go hand in hand.
“Previously, boxers peaked once or twice a year. Today, every competition matters — you have to be at your best again and again. That’s what separates champions from contenders.”
Event Overview: The Road to the Trophy
The World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 will be the grand finale of the year-long World Boxing Cup series, where the top-ranked boxers of the season will face off across 10 men’s and 10 women’s weight divisions.
It’s not just about individual medals — team rankings and overall national performance will also determine the distribution of World Boxing Cup points, adding a strategic dimension to every bout.
Full List – India Squad for World Boxing Cup Finals 2025
Men’s Team
Hitesh (70kg)
Abhinash Jamwal (65kg)
Jadumani Singh (50kg)
Pawan Bartwal (55kg)
Sachin (60kg)
Sumit (75kg)
Lakshya Chahar (80kg)
Jugnoo (85kg)
Naveen Kumar (90kg)
Narender (90+kg)
Women’s Team
Nikhat Zareen (51kg)
Jaismine Lamboria (57kg)
Minakshi Hooda (48kg)
Pooja Rani (80kg)
Saweety Boora (75kg)
Nupur Sheoran (80+kg)
Preeti Pawar (54kg)
Parveen (60kg)
Neeraj Phogat (65kg)
Arundhati Choudhary (70kg)
In recent years, India’s boxing ecosystem has undergone a major transformation, producing a new wave of technically sound and mentally resilient athletes. With home advantage, a scientifically trained coaching staff, and some of the world’s best talent, Team India enters the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals with high expectations.
As the boxing world converges in Greater Noida this November, all eyes will be on Nikhat, Jaismine, Hitesh, and Pooja Rani — who represent not just individual brilliance, but India’s collective journey toward becoming a global boxing powerhouse.
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