Boxing World Cup 2025: Deepak, Poonam advance as 7 Indians bow out on Day 1
Synopsis
India's Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) campaign in China opened with just two wins from nine bouts on Day 1. Deepak and Poonam both swept their opponents 5-0, but seven teammates — including quarterfinal entrants Naina and Alfiya — were knocked out, leaving a two-person squad to carry India's hopes forward.
Key Takeaways
Deepak and Poonam are India's only winners on Day 1 of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China , both winning 5-0 .
Poonam beat Uzbekistan's Aziza Yokubova in the women's 54kg preliminary round of 32.
Deepak defeated Turkmenistan's Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov in the men's 70kg preliminary round of 32.
Seven Indian boxers were eliminated, including Naina and Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan at the quarterfinal stage.
Harsh Choudhary lost via RSC (I) in the third round against Sweden's Elwin Belezika.
Deepak and Poonam were the sole Indian boxers to advance on the opening day of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China on 15 June, with both recording dominant 5-0 victories in their respective preliminary bouts. Seven other Indian competitors were eliminated across multiple weight categories, making it a mixed start to the campaign.
Indian Winners: Dominant Displays
Poonam opened India's account in the women's 54kg category, defeating Uzbekistan's Aziza Yokubova by a unanimous 5-0 margin in the preliminary round of 32. Her controlled performance gave India an early reason to cheer.
Deepak matched that result in the men's 70kg division, beating Turkmenistan's Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov by an identical 5-0 verdict in the preliminary round of 32. Both boxers now advance to the next stage of the competition.
Defeats in the Preliminary Rounds
The remaining Indian contingent could not replicate that success. In the preliminary round of 16, Rishi Singh (50kg) fell to Azerbaijan's Subhan Mamedov by a 0-5 scoreline, while Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom (75kg) was beaten 0-5 by Canada's Tammara Thibeault. Sawan Gill (90kg) also exited after losing 0-5 to Norway's Omar Shiha.
In other bouts, Anmol (60kg) suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat to Salim Ellis Bey of the USA. Harsh Choudhary (90kg) had his contest ended prematurely, losing to Sweden's Elwin Belezika via Referee Stops Contest due to Injury [RSC (I)] in the third round.
Quarterfinal Exits
India also faced setbacks at the quarterfinal stage. Naina (80kg women's) was beaten 0-5 by host nation's Xiaomeng Wang, while Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (90+kg women's) lost to Poland's Elzbieta Wojcik in the same round.
Full Results and What's Next
Won: Poonam (54kg-W) bt Aziza Yokubova (Uzbekistan) 5-0; Deepak (70kg) bt Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov (Turkmenistan) 5-0.
Lost: Anmol (60kg) lost to Salim Ellis Bey (USA) 2-3; Harsh Choudhary (90kg) lost to Elwin Belezika (Sweden) via RSC(I) Round 3; Naina (80kg-W) lost to Xiaomeng Wang (China) 0-5; Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom (75kg-W) lost to Tammara Thibeault (Canada) 0-5; Rishi Singh (50kg) lost to Subhan Mamedov (Azerbaijan) 0-5; Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (90+kg-W) lost to Elzbieta Wojcik (Poland) 0-5; Sawan Gill (90kg) lost to Omar Shiha (Norway) 0-5.
With seven of nine boxers eliminated on the first day, India's hopes now rest squarely on Deepak and Poonam as the tournament advances.
Point of View
But the lopsided losses — five of the seven defeats ended 0-5 — suggest the mid-tier of the Indian squad is struggling against established boxing nations. Notably, the quarterfinal exits of Naina and Alfiya signal that even India's more experienced campaigners are finding the Stage 2 field a significant step up. The tournament will be a useful diagnostic ahead of the next major qualifying cycle.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Indian boxers who won on Day 1 of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2)?
Deepak and Poonam are the two Indian boxers who won on Day 1. Deepak beat Turkmenistan's Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov 5-0 in the men's 70kg category, and Poonam defeated Uzbekistan's Aziza Yokubova 5-0 in the women's 54kg category.
Where is the Boxing World Cup Stage 2 being held?
The Boxing World Cup Stage 2 is being held in China. India's campaign began on 15 June, with bouts across multiple weight categories for both men and women.
Which Indian boxers were eliminated on Day 1?
Seven Indian boxers were eliminated: Rishi Singh (50kg), Anmol (60kg), Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom (75kg), Naina (80kg women's), Sawan Gill (90kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), and Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan (90+kg women's).
How did Harsh Choudhary lose his bout?
Harsh Choudhary lost to Sweden's Elwin Belezika via Referee Stops Contest due to Injury — RSC (I) — in the third round of the men's 90kg preliminary bout.
What are India's chances going forward in the Boxing World Cup?
India's remaining hopes lie with Deepak and Poonam, who both advanced with 5-0 wins. The other seven members of the squad have been eliminated, making the duo India's sole representatives as the competition progresses.
