India has finalized its squad for the upcoming World Boxing Championships, following a week-long selection camp at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala. This year’s tournament marks a historic milestone in international boxing, as it will be the first edition organized under the newly formed World Boxing, and will feature both male and female boxers competing simultaneously at the same venue in an Olympic-style format.
Among the prominent names making a comeback are Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen, both of whom had missed the women’s national championships in March. Zareen was recovering from an injury, while Borgohain was left out due to an internal dispute within the Assam state federation that prevented her nomination. Both pugilists returned to form during the Elite Women’s Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad, securing their spots in the national team. They had also missed the recent World Cup in Astana.
The women’s team includes:
Meenakshi Hooda (48kg)
Nikhat Zareen (51kg)
Sakshi (54kg)
Jaismine Lamboria (57kg)
Lovlina Borgohain (75kg)
Pooja Rani (80kg), a former Asian champion
The men’s contingent is also formidable, led by:
Narender Berwal (90+kg), Asian Games bronze medallist
Hitesh Gulia (70kg), two-time World Cup winner
Abhinash Jamwal (65kg), another seasoned World Cup performer
The Indian Boxing Federation has pinned high hopes on the squad, aiming for strong performances in what is set to be a landmark global event.
“This World Championships is not just about medals—it’s about ushering in a new era of equality and visibility for boxing,” said a senior federation official.
The event will serve as a crucial test ahead of the Paris Olympics 2028 cycle, giving Indian boxers a chance to prove their mettle on the world stage under the fresh governance structure of World Boxing.
