Boxing

Jaismine Lamboria, Minakshi Hooda crowned boxing world champions

Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Minakshi Hooda (48kg) carved their place in Indian boxing history by clinching titles with hard-fought wins at the World Championships here Capping off a stupendous campaign that saw her dominate all her rivals, Jaismine outclassed Paris Olympics silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland in the 57kg summit clash late on Saturday night, prevailing 4-1 on the judges' scorecards (30-27 29-28 30-27 28-29 29-28). Minakshi followed suit a day later on Sunday, by out-punching Paris Olympics bronze medallist Kazakshtan's Nazym Kyzaibay with the same margin in the 48kg summit clash. However, Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) and the seasoned Pooja Rani (80kg) signed off with silver and bronze medals respectively in non-Olympic weight categories. With the victory, Jaismine and Minakshi joined an illustrious list of Indian world champions featuring six-time winner Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018), two-time winner Nikhat Zareen (2022 and 2023), Sarita Devi ...

Ajay Singh re-elected as Boxing Federation of India President for 3rd term

Incumbent Ajay Singh was on Thursday re-elected President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for a third consecutive term after a comprehensive victory over Olympian Jaslal Pradhan, even as the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chose not to send observers for the long-delayed polls. The elections were postponed by over six months due to legal wrangling. Singh, who is also the managing director of SpiceJet Airlines, won the contest 40-26 against 1982 Asian Games bronze medallist boxer Pradhan, who had the backing of the rival faction after former sports minister Anurag Thakur's inclusion in the electoral college was rejected. "I'm just happy that we get to continue the good work that the BFI has been doing for the past eight years," Singh told PTI after his victory. "As you know, India's rank in the world has gone up from number 44 eight years ago to rank four. That gives us immense satisfaction... that Indian boxers are now getting the opportunity to box

World Boxing to mandate sex testing for fighters before September worlds

The governing body for Olympic-style boxing will require sex testing for all fighters wishing to compete in the women's division at its world championships next month. World Boxing already had announced its plan to require competitors to undergo a polymerase chain reaction test or an equivalent genetic screening test to determine their sex at birth. The rules will be implemented ahead of the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England, in early September, the organisation announced on Wednesday. The tests identify the presence or absence of Y chromosome genetic material as the indicator of biological sex. "World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and is keen to ensure it is as inclusive as possible," World Boxing president Boris Van Der Vorst said. "Yet in a combat sport like boxing, we have a duty of care to deliver safety and competitiveness fairness, which are the key principles that have guided the development and creation of this policy." Paris Olympic champi

Indian boxers' build-up to World Championships hit by visa trouble

The Indian boxers' planned training trip to the UK ahead of the all-important World Championships has been hampered due to visa-related complications. The squad was scheduled to travel on Sunday to take part in a multinational training camp in Sheffield, a key build-up to the World Championships in Liverpool from September 4 to 14. However, only four women boxers and a few members of the coaching staff have managed to secure visas and reach the UK. The 10-member men's team and six women pugilists are still awaiting their clearances and remain at the national camp in NIS Patiala. At present, the male boxers have the services of only one coach as three others, including head coach Dharmendra Yadav, are already in Sheffield. "Yes, the three of us have reached here but all the (male) boxers are still waiting for their visas," Yadav told PTI. "We had to start sparring in the multinational camp from Wednesday but we cancelled it as we don't know when the visa will arrive and when the b

Lovlina alleges disrespect by BFI official, IOA sets up inquiry meet

Tokyo Olympics bronze-winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain's allegations of "disrespectful and gender-discriminatory behaviour" against national federation's executive director Col Arun Malik are being investigated and a report would be submitted soon, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) official has said. In a formal complaint addressed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General, the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) division, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Lovlina alleged that Malik humiliated her and undermined her achievements during a Zoom meeting on July 8, which was attended by SAI and TOPS officials. On the call Lovlina requested that her personal coach, who was also present in the online meeting, be allowed in the national camp, something that goes against the BFI policy. She also wanted the coach to be allowed to travel with her to train in Europe. According to Lovlina, Malik responded

Boxing: Anurag Thakur once again declared ineligible for BFI elections

Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur was once again rendered ineligible to contest the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections, with his name omitted from the electoral college released on Wednesday for the August 21 polls. The Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA) had nominated Thakur and its President Rajesh Bhandari as its two representatives for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where the key agenda is the election of new office-bearers for the 20252029 term. However, the BFI interim committee, constituted by World Boxing in April to oversee the federation's daily affairs, issued a 66-member electoral college after scrutiny, excluding Thakur's name. According to the interim committee chaired by Fairuz Mohamed, Thakur's nomination was found to be "in violation of Article 20 (iii) and (vii) of the Constitution of BFI approved by World Boxing." As per the revised BFI Constitution, approved by World Boxing on May 18, Clause (iii) states that the nominee to attend the Genera

Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen named in India's World Championship Squad

Star boxers Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain were on Thursday named in India's squad for the World Championships set to take place in Liverpool in September. The 20-member squad was finalised after the boxers went through a week-long assessment at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala. The tournament, to be held from September 4 to 14, will be the first World Championships held under the aegis of the new governing body of the sport, World Boxing. It will feature competitions in 10 weight classes for men and women. It will also be for the first time ever that male and female boxers would compete in an Olympics-style boxing at the same event for the title of World Boxing Champion. Both Zareen and Borgohain had missed the women's nationals in March. While the two-time world champion Zareen was injured at the time, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Borgohain had missed the event as the Assam state unit refused to send her due to infighting in the federation. The duo had

BFI interim body seeks Vijender's help to revamp training system

Indian boxing's interim committee chief Ajay Singh on Thursday said he has "requested" Olympic medallist pugilist Vijender Singh to lend his expertise by overseeing "some training camps" and offering suggestions for improvement. Vijender, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, remains India's only male boxer to have finished on the podium at the Olympics. "Vijender is quite involved with the activities. Of course, he is a huge inspiration for boxers. But we also want to use his skills and his expertise to oversee some of our training processes and give us some suggestions on how to improve," Singh told reporters. "Because you know, many times boxers have the skill but it becomes a mindset issue," he added. The boxer-turned-politician has also plied his trade in the professional circuit, but hasn't competed there since 2022. Singh added that Vijender's involvement is in its early stages. "He is just starting now and I have requested him to oversee some of the training ca

Imane Khelif Skips Eindhoven as Boxing Body Enforces Sex Verification

Olympic champion Imane Khelif is skipping the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands less than a week after World Boxing announced mandatory sex testing for all athletes. The Algerian boxer, who won gold at the Paris Games last summer amid scrutiny over her eligibility, did not register in time for the event before applications closed on Thursday. The decision of Imane's exclusion is not ours. We regret it, tournament media director Dirk Renders told The Associated Press. The 26-year-old Khelif had intended to return to international competition at the Eindhoven tournament this weekend before World Boxing announced its new sex testing policy last Friday. The governing body specifically mentioned Khelif, saying she'd have to screened to be approved to fight at any upcoming events, including the Eindhoven Box Cup. Eindhoven mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem criticized World Boxing's decision. As far as we are concerned, all athletes are welcome in Eindhoven. Excluding athletes based on ...

Lovlina starts boxing academy in Guwahati, gets Rs 2 crore from CM

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain has unveiled her boxing academy in Barchandra in north Guwahati and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a grant of Rs 2 crore for its development. Set up on land purchased by Borgohain in 2021, the Lovlina Borgohain Boxing Academy, inaugurated on Wednesday, aims to provide grassroots boxers with professional infrastructure, including a 26x26 boxing ring and a fully equipped gym. The centre is Guwahati's first of its kind and will cater to youth from across Assam and the northeast. "This academy is a vital step towards identifying and developing the next generation of champions from Assam," said Sarma. He also agreed to aid Lovlina in the acquisition of land and costing for the building of hostels for the athletes. The minister has also promised to help the academy in covering expenses related to the coaching staff and expansion of the academy. Lovlina said she began to work on the project after the 2024 Olympics, using her

Is boxer Imane Khelif a biological male? What does 'leaked' lab report say

Imane Khelif's 2023 New Delhi test revealed an XY karyotype - indicating that she is a male; World Boxing now requires sex tests to verify eligibility for female competitions

Heavyweight boxing legend, businessman George Foreman passes away at 76

George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who lost the Rumble in the Jungle to Muhammad Ali before his inspiring second act as a 45-year-old champion and a successful businessman, died Friday night. He was 76. Foreman's family announced his death on social media. A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose," his family wrote. A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt in one of the greatest fights ever staged. Foreman left the sport a few years later, but returned after a 10-year absence and a self-described religious awakening. He then pulled off one

BFI suspends secretary general Kalita over financial irregularities

Boxing Federation of India secretary general Hemanta Kalita was suspended on Tuesday after being found guilty of "financial irregularities" in an investigation and his nomination for the president's post in the upcoming election was also rejected on a day of dramatic developments in the BFI. Treasurer Digvijay Singh was also suspended on similar charges after an inquiry conducted by former Delhi High Court judge Sudhir Kumar Jain. Jain was appointed by the BFI to carry out the investigation. The inquiry followed a complaint accusing the two of unauthorised fund withdrawals, fraudulent billing, and abuse of power, which PTI had reported last month. "Justice Jain has concluded his investigation and submitted his report, which has found both of you guilty of serious charges of financial irregularities and mismanagement of funds," BFI president Ajay Singh said in an official communication to the duo. "The findings of the report establish a clear breach of fiduciary duties and ...

Controversy erupts as BFI president and secretary contradict statements

The women's national boxing championship, which has already faced multiple postponements since late last year, became the subject of fresh uncertainty once again

IOA forms ad hoc panel to run boxing affairs, federation terms it illegal

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday constituted a five-member ad hoc committee to oversee the affairs of boxing in the country on the ground that the sport's national federation failed to hold elections on time. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI), within hours, termed the IOA's decision as "illegal" and said it will file a petition to the Delhi High Court to quash the order. The IOA said that the BFI did not hold its elections due on February 2 and asked the ad hoc panel, to be headed by former Athletics Federation of India (AFI) treasurer Madhukant Pathak, to hold the polls at the earliest. "IOA has been closely monitoring the administrative affairs of the Boxing Federation of India. As per the governing norms, elections to BFI were to be conducted on or before 02 February 2025. Despite the prescribed timeline, the elections have not been held, resulting in administrative instability within the federation," IOA President PT Usha wrote in an office order. "In view of t

Mary Kom denies IOA resignation reports, says she'll complete her tenure

The Indian Olympic Association's athletes commission chairperson and boxing legend M C Mary Kom on Tuesday denied reports that she has resigned from her position, insisting that she has been misunderstood and will complete her tenure in the panel. The 42-year-old Manipuri, who is also a 2012 Olympics bronze-winner, had travelled to Haldwani for the National Games closing ceremony last week where she expressed her displeasure over being lodged at an "inferior hotel". Speaking to PTI, Mary Kom said her outburst has been misconstrued as resignation. "I have not resigned, I will complete my tenure (which ends in 2026)," she asserted. "I was merely telling my fellow (athletes commission) members that if this kind of treatment happens again, I will consider resigning. I never said that I am resigning. IOA is my family and if I am unhappy over something, I have every right to express it. "This does not mean that I am resigning," she went on. Mary Kom was elected to the panel in 2022 wit

Vowed to fight back against IBA's accusations, says Algerian boxer Khelif

Algeria boxer Imane Khelif, who found herself in the middle of a bitter divide about gender in sports during the Paris Olympics, has denounced false and offensive accusations from the International Boxing Association. I have been knocked down more times than I can count. But I have never stayed down, Khelif said late Tuesday on her Instagram account. The IBA said this week it will file criminal complaints against the International Olympic Committee in the U.S., France and Switzerland. The Swiss-based IOC allowing female boxers Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete and win gold medals in Paris last year may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution, the IBA claimed. Khelif responded by saying she will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that my rights and the principles of fair competition are upheld." "Those responsible of these actions must be held accountable, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that justice prevails," she added. The Russian-led IBA has bee

World Championship medallist boxer Nishant Dev to make professional debut

World championship bronze medallist Indian boxer Nishant Dev has turned professional, bidding adieu to his amateur career. One of the most consistent Indian boxers in recent times, Dev, who represented India at the Paris Olympics, has signed with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. The 24-year-old will make his professional debut at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on January 25. His opponent is yet to be announced. The event is headlined by a super middleweight bout between Steve Nelson and Diego Pacheco. "I'm very excited to be joining Matchroom Boxing and beginning my professional career in Las Vegas on January 25th," Dev wrote on Instagram on Friday. "My goal is to become India's first ever world professional boxing champion and I know I have a whole nation behind me to help me achieve this." The two-time National champion is being trained by former professional boxer Ronald Simms. "I'm working hard every day with my trainer Ronald Simms. I know I have the right team behind me an

Coaching crisis, Olympic setbacks mark a disastrous year for Indian boxing

Indian boxing endured a turbulent year marred by coaching turmoil, crushing defeats, and a medal-less Paris Olympics campaign, all of it made worse by the national federation's negligence that brought unprecedented embarrassment to the country. There were very few positives to count in a year when, after a widely successful 2023, expectations were sky high. Yet no boxer was able to add to the three bronze medals -- Vijender Singh (2008), M C Mary Kom (2012) and Lovlina Borgohain (2021) -- that India had secured in the previous editions of the Olympics. Nishant Dev, unlucky to miss out on an Olympic medal, was India's top performer but the likes of world champions Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina disappointed despite widely held belief that fortunes of women's boxing were following an upward trajectory. Outside the ring, the Boxing Federation of India's (BFI) negligence cost India an Olympic quota even as administrators globally scrambled to retain the sport on the Olympic roster. Controv

Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson as the hits don't match the hype

The boos from a crowd wanting more action were growing again when Jake Paul dropped his gloves before the final bell, and bowed toward 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Paying homage to one of the biggest names in boxing history didn't do much for the fans that filled the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys on Friday night. Paul won a unanimous decision over Tyson as the hits didn't match the hype in a fight between the 27-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer and the former heavyweight champion in his first sanctioned pro fight in almost 20 years. All the hate from the pre-fight buildup was gone, replaced by boos from bewildered fans hoping for more action in a fight that drew plenty of questions about its legitimacy long before it happened. The fight wasn't close on the judge's cards, with one giving Paul an 80-72 edge and the other two calling it 79-73. Tyson came after Paul immediately after the opening bell and landed a couple of quick punches but didn't try much else the rest of the way. Even