World Boxing Championships 2025: Sumit, Neeraj begin campaign on winning note to enter pre-quarterfinals

Sumit Kundu and Neeraj Phogat posted wins to advance to the men’s 75kg and women’s 65kg pre-quarterfinals respectively as India began the second day on a brighter note at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool on Friday.

Sumit outsmarted Jordanian Mohammad Alhussein 5-0, while Neeraj edged past Krista Kovalainen 3-2 in a hard-fought contest in round of 32 bouts.

Sumit, competing in a top flight event after two years, gave a good account of his game. He applied constant pressure on Alhussein by closing the gap on the taller counterpuncher and raining spectacular power-packed punches to win the bout convincingly.

Sumit will take on Paris Olympian Rami Kiwan of Bulgaria next.

FILE PHOTO: Amid the trading of solid blows, Neeraj stayed ahead in the third round and fixed a last-16 meeting with England’s Sacha Hickey.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Neeraj delivered some fine head shots from a long range to take the first round 3-2 before Krista used her combinations to dominate the second round.

Amid the trading of solid blows, Neeraj stayed ahead in the third round and fixed a last-16 meeting with England’s Sacha Hickey.

On Thursday, World youth gold medallist Sanamacha (70kg) defeated Denmark’s Dittie Frostholm 4-1 to set up a clash against World Cup-2 winner Natalya Bogdanova of Kazakhstan.

In the men’s 90kg category, Harsh Choudhary exited early after losing to Poland’s Adam Tutak in a round of 32 fight. The Indian lost when the referee stopped the contest in the third round.

Published on Sep 05, 2025