The World Boxing Championships, 2025, will kick off from today in Liverpool, England. India will field a strong 20-member contingent at the inaugural edition of the Championship. Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen and Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain will mark their international return after over a year’s pause.

Together with veteran Pooja Rani, a two-time Asian champion who won silver at the July World Cup, the three form the experienced core of the women’s squad. With a largely fresh-faced squad, the Indian men’s boxing team would be in for a challenging time. The experienced group is led by Sumit Kundu, who returns to the squad after injury, along with 2021 World Youth champion Sachin Siwach, and Harsh Choudhary, all of whom have prior Worlds experience.

They are joined by a promising group of debutants in Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, Hitesh Gulia, and Abhinash Jamwal, hoping to make their mark on the big stage. The World Boxing Championships will follow a knockout format. Winners of each bout progress, while both semi-finalists who lose will take home bronze medals. Each bout will consist of three three-minute rounds, judged on the “Ten Point Must” scoring system.