Greater Noida, Nov 15 (NationPress) The World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 officially commenced on Saturday in Greater Noida, with the opening ceremony setting the stage for a transformative week in international boxing. The draw presented India with a blend of robust prospects and challenging trials, featuring World Champion Minakshi Hooda, Preeti, Narender Berwal, and Ankush Phangal spearheading the home team's efforts on day one of the competition.

Following a historic World Championships in 2023, this event marks India's inaugural significant international boxing tournament on its home turf, signifying the nation's revitalized presence in the global arena.

India's journey kicks off with a crucial match as World Championships Liverpool 2025 gold medalist Minakshi (48kg) faces off against Kazakhstan's Bolat Akbota. This is followed by an intense battle between Preeti (54kg) and Uzbekistan's Nigina Uktamova, a past Youth World champion with an Asian Games medal, where the victor will secure a high-profile clash with Olympic medalist and top seed, Huang Hsiao-Wen of Chinese Taipei.

The men's competition promises equally thrilling confrontations, including a dynamic face-off between Ankush Phangal (80kg) and Japan's Go Wakaya, a silver medal winner from the last World Boxing Cup Finals in Sheffield, renowned for his speed and reach. Narender Berwal (90+kg), a bronze medalist at the Asian Games and World Cup, will engage in a forceful quarterfinal against Ukraine's Andrii Khaletskyi, the 2025 King's Cup gold medalist.

As the tournament progresses, Brazil's World Cup gold medalist Hitesh is geared up for a significant 70kg showdown with top seed Sewon Okazawa, while two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen dives directly into a semifinal clash with Uzbek Ganieva Gulsevar.

In his address to attendees, Ajay Singh, President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), remarked, “This truly celebrates excellence. We are hosting the elite boxers from around the world here, competing for championship titles. This is a remarkable moment for athletes and our nation. On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend a warm welcome. I commend the efforts of all organizers, partners, and volunteers, reaffirming India's commitment to supporting World Boxing both now and in the future, for numerous championships to come.”

The opening ceremony showcased a vibrant tapestry of Indian culture, featuring a captivating lamp-lighting segment and a procession of all participating nations, along with a dazzling array of music and dance that highlighted India's rich heritage as the Games were officially inaugurated.

Authorities present included Ajay Singh, Pramod Kumar, World Boxing Cup Organizing Secretary and BFI General Secretary, and Mike McAtee, Acting Secretary General of World Boxing, who together officiated the opening of the tournament.

“In India, boxing transcends sport; it is a passion. Each victory, each gold medal inspires countless young people to embrace the sport, believing they too can succeed. Boxing shapes not just champions but entire generations. My best wishes to all competitors,” added Singh.

The Finale Championships, hosted at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, unite over 120 elite boxers from 15 countries, marking one of the most competitive fields in the event's short history. Each weight category, comprising ten for men and ten for women, features a maximum of eight contenders, selected based on the Official World Boxing Rankings, ensuring high-quality competition.

On this occasion, Mike McAtee expressed, “It’s an honor to be in India for the inaugural World Boxing Cup Finals. This event is a testament to the outstanding leadership of Ajay Singh, the Boxing Federation of India, the boxers, coaches, officials, and the passionate fans who have rallied behind this initiative. Having observed the boxers' growth from Brazil to India this year, the level of boxing is set to be extraordinary.”

The ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries including Surinder Singh (Block Pramukh), Krishna (Administrator, Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex), R.P. Singh (Sports Director, UP Government), and Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Naagar, alongside Pramod Kumar and Pon Baskaran (Treasurer, BFI), who collectively inaugurated the event.

This Finale Championships is particularly significant for India, marking the first time the nation hosts the event with a complete 20-member lineup across all weight classes. Indian boxers now have a unique opportunity to compete against Olympic and world-class athletes. India enters this competition in formidable form, having secured six medals, including one gold, in Stage 1 in Brazil, and 11 medals, with three golds, in Stage 3 in Kazakhstan.

Every victory here also offers essential ranking points, making each match pivotal for the international standing of the Indian boxers.