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Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Boxer Simranjit Kaur turns pro; signed by Roy Jones Jr.
New Delhi: Punjab's Simranjit Kaur Baath has become the latest Indian boxer to take the leap into professional boxing, signing to be coached by former American professional boxer and 1988 Seoul Olympics silver medallist Roy Jones Jr. While at least two Indian male boxers -- Nishant Dev and Amit Panghal -- have turned pro this year, Simranjit becomes the first Indian female pugilist in 2025 to do so. The 29-year-old, who competes in the light welterweight category (60-63kg), was part of the Indian team at the Tokyo Olympics, where she reached the round of 16. Previously, Laishram Sarita Devi had made the switch in 2016 while keeping her amateur eligibility intact. Though the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) had earlier discouraged several active boxers from participating in both amateur and professional circuits, a 2019 policy shift allowed them to return to amateur competitions despite turning professional. With Indian boxing struggling to deliver consistent results at the global level and Olympics recently, more athletes are now considering the professional route in a bid to balance the commercial viability and their Olympics dreams. At the amateur level, Simranjit has a bronze at the 2018 World Championships, silver at the 2019 Asian Championships and another bronze in the 2021 edition. Her amateur record stands at 16 wins and 10 losses. Although she's on a three-bout losing streak, she sees professional boxing as an opportunity for reinvention. 'I had been thinking about going pro for a year or so but I wasn't getting the right promoters. Thankfully, I have done enough to impress Roy and I couldn't have asked for a better promotion and coach,' Simranjit told HT. Her pro deal was brokered by Mandeep Jangra, who will be doubling up as her manager. Jangra silver medallist at the 2013 Asian Championships and 2014 Commonwealth Games. Since turning professional in 2021, Jangra has registered a 12-1-0 record and won the WBF super featherweight world title in 2024. Impressed by Simranjit's grit and fitness, Jangra introduced her to Roy Jones Jr. in Florida. Roy vetted her thoroughly for months -- putting her through training and sparring rounds -- before officially signing her on. Simranjit was initially hesitant of making the switch but the commercial viability and potential financial success made her make the call. 'There is only so much one can earn and sustain with by being in the amateur circuit,' Simanjit said on why multiple Indian boxers are considering pro boxing. 'I haven't really closed the door on amateur boxing but I am focused on the training needed for pro boxing. I am aware that won't be able to dedicate the time and preparation needed for national camps in the meanwhile.' While she is expected to make her debut in a couple of months, Jangra said that a potential pro boxing event in India in collaboration with Roy is in the works for September. He added, 'I don't want to be the only one doing this. I want an entire India contingent to build up here in the US. Simranjit has what it takes. She can last in those two-minute rounds and give the boxers a run for their money. She's tough and she knows how to bounce back after being hit.'
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
BFI names 19-boxer squad for Thailand Open; Elite National Camp gets underway in Patiala
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced a 19-member squad for the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament 2025, scheduled in Bangkok from May 24 to June 1. The squad, comprising 10 men and nine women, has been selected from the ongoing elite national camp at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, which is underway as the season builds toward key tournaments. The BFI followed its selection criterion, providing opportunities to silver medallists from the 2025 Elite Men's and Women's National Championships. Held under the aegis of Asian Boxing, the Thailand Open will see top national teams from across the continent compete, including powerhouses like China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Korea, and host nation Thailand. India's men's squad features Naothoi Singh Kongkham (47-50kg), Pawan Bartwal (50-55kg), Nikhil (55-60kg), Amit Kumar (60-65kg), Hemant Yadav (65-70kg), Deepak (70-75kg), Dhruv Singh (75-80kg), Jugnoo (80-85kg), Naman Tanwar (85-90kg), and Anshul Gill (90kg-plus). The women's team includes Yasika Rai (45-48kg), Tamanna (48-51kg), Abha Singh (51-54kg), Priya (54-57kg), Sanju (57-60kg), Saneh (65-70kg), Anjali (70-75kg), Lalfakmawii Ralte (75-80kg), and Kiran (80kg+). No boxer has been named in the women's 60-65kg category for this edition. Speaking on the occasion, BFI President-Chairman, Interim Committee, Ajay Singh said, as quoted from a press release by the body, 'With the team set to leave for the Thailand Open, we're entering a very exciting phase for Indian boxing. This marks the beginning of a packed international calendar, with the World Cup stage tournament in Kazakhstan, the World Championship in Liverpool, the World Cup Finals in New Delhi, and several key tournaments, including the Asian Championship, lined up towards the end of the year.' 'We have prioritised performance and transparency in our selection process--every boxer has earned their place through hard work and consistency. The national camp is already underway, and with the level of talent and structure now in place, I believe we are well-positioned to make a strong global impact in the months ahead,' he added. The Patiala camp initially brought together 60 male and 60 female boxers, shortlisted from standout performers at the 2025 Nationals and gold and silver medallists from the 2024 REC Combined National Talent Hunt in Rohtak and the Chief of Army Staff Cup in Pune. Following a round of internal assessments, the pool was pruned to 40 in each category. This refined core group will continue training through June, with additional athletes from an upcoming Elite Women's Competition joining in July. The Thailand Open marks an important international outing in India's boxing calendar, providing a platform for elite boxers to test themselves against Asia's best, with momentum building toward the World Boxing Cup later this year. (ANI)
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
BFI names 19-member squad for Thailand Open
New Delhi: The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced a 19-member squad for the 4th Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament, scheduled in Bangkok from May 24 to June 1. The squad, comprising 10 men and 9 women—has been selected from the ongoing elite national camp at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, which is underway as the season builds toward key tournaments. The BFI said it followed a selection criterion, providing opportunities to silver medallists from the 2025 Elite Men's and Women's National Championships. Held under the aegis of Asian Boxing, the Thailand Open will see top national teams from across the continent compete, including powerhouses like China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Korea, and host nation Thailand. Speaking on the occasion, BFI president-chairman, Interim Committee, Ajay Singh said, 'With the team set to leave for the Thailand Open, we're entering a very exciting phase for Indian boxing. This marks the beginning of a packed international calendar, with the World Cup stage tournament in Kazakhstan, the World Championship in Liverpool, the World Cup Finals in New Delhi, and several key tournaments, including the Asian Championship, lined up towards the end of the year. "We have prioritised performance and transparency in our selection process—every boxer has earned their place through hard work and consistency. The national camp is already underway, and with the level of talent and structure now in place, I believe we are well-positioned to make a strong global impact in the months ahead. The Patiala camp initially brought together 60 male and 60 female boxers, shortlisted from standout performers at the 2025 Nationals and gold and silver medallists from the 2024 REC Combined National Talent Hunt in Rohtak and the Chief of Army Staff Cup in Pune. Following a round of internal assessments, the pool was pruned to 40 in each category. This refined core group will continue training through June, with additional athletes from an upcoming Elite Women's Competition joining in July. The Thailand Open marks an important international outing in India's boxing calendar, providing a platform for elite boxers to test themselves against Asia's best, with momentum building toward the World Boxing Cup later this year. Men's squad: Naothoi Singh Kongkham (47–50kg), Pawan Bartwal (50–55kg), Nikhil (55–60kg), Amit Kumar (60–65kg), Hemant Yadav (65–70kg), Deepak (70–75kg), Dhruv Singh (75–80kg), Jugnoo (80–85kg), Naman Tanwar (85–90kg), and Anshul Gill (90kg+). Women's sqaud: Yasika Rai (45–48kg), Tamanna (48–51kg), Abha Singh (51–54kg), Priya (54–57kg), Sanju (57–60kg), Saneh (65–70kg), Anjali (70–75kg), Lalfakmawii Ralte (75–80kg), and Kiran (80kg+). No boxer has been named in the women's 60–65kg category for this edition.
News18
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Boxing Federation Of India Names 19-Member Unit Ahead Of Thailand Open
Last Updated: The event is scheduled to be held in Bangkok between May 24 and June 1, with 10 male boxers and 9 women pugilists set to represent the Indian tricolour. The Boxing Federation of India named the 19-member unit for the 4th edition of the Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament on Thursday. The event is scheduled to be held in Bangkok between May 24 and June 1, with 10 male boxers and 9 women pugilists set to represent the Indian tricolour. The boxers have been picked from the elite national camp at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala. 'With the team set to leave for the Thailand Open, we're entering a very exciting phase for Indian boxing," BFI president-chairman, Interim Committee, Ajay Singh said. 'This marks the beginning of a packed international calendar, with the World Cup stage tournament in Kazakhstan, the World Championship in Liverpool, the World Cup Finals in New Delhi, and several key tournaments, including the Asian Championship, lined up towards the end of the year," he added. 'We have prioritised performance and transparency in our selection process—every boxer has earned their place through hard work and consistency. The national camp is already underway, and with the level of talent and structure now in place, I believe we are well-positioned to make a strong global impact in the months ahead," Singh elucidated. The BFI announced that it adhered to a selection criterion, offering opportunities to the silver medallists from the 2025 Elite Men's and Women's National Championships. Under the auspices of Asian Boxing, the Thailand Open will feature top national teams from across the continent, including strong competitors like China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Korea, and host nation Thailand. The initial camp in Patiala gathered 60 male and 60 female boxers, selected based on their outstanding performance at the 2025 Nationals and the gold and silver medallists from the 2024 REC Combined National Talent Hunt in Rohtak and the Chief of Army Staff Cup in Pune. After a series of internal assessments, the pool was reduced to 40 boxers in each category. This refined group will continue training through June, with additional athletes from an upcoming Elite Women's Competition joining in July. The Thailand Open is a significant international event in India's boxing calendar, giving elite boxers a chance to compete against Asia's best, building momentum towards the World Boxing Cup later this year. Naothoi Singh Kongkham (47–50kg), Pawan Bartwal (50–55kg), Nikhil (55–60kg), Amit Kumar (60–65kg), Hemant Yadav (65–70kg), Deepak (70–75kg), Dhruv Singh (75–80kg), Jugnoo (80–85kg), Naman Tanwar (85–90kg), and Anshul Gill (90kg+). Women's sqaud: Yasika Rai (45–48kg), Tamanna (48–51kg), Abha Singh (51–54kg), Priya (54–57kg), Sanju (57–60kg), Saneh (65–70kg), Anjali (70–75kg), Lalfakmawii Ralte (75–80kg), and Kiran (80kg+). No boxer has been named in the women's 60–65kg category for this edition.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BFI funding halted by sports ministry amid election row
NEW DELHI: The sports ministry has initiated action against the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) for its inability to conduct its elections within the stipulated time frame. TOI has learnt that the ministry recently halted its funding to the federation, which was previously allocated for organising national camps and domestic championships. In a recent step, the funds were instead directly provided to the Sports Authority of India (SAI)-run NIS Patiala , where the country's boxers are currently stationed. Under the ministry's 'Scheme of Assistance to NSFs', it acts as the main financier for NSFs. On this occasion, rather than disbursing the funds to BFI, the ministry directed the NIS management to utilise the money for the smooth running of the coaching camp and to arrange an appropriate diet for the pugilists. 'We don't want the boxers and coaches to suffer in this federation's stand-off. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The BFI's office-bearers are busy fighting each other in different courts of the country, looking to seize control of the federation. The BFI needs to hold its elections at the earliest…the ministry is clear about it,' a ministry source said. Who's that IPL player? This action by the ministry comes as a result of the federation's continued postponement of elections, which have been due since Feb 2 this year. The BFI, at present, is governed by a sixmember committee appointed by World Boxing (WB), with current president Ajay Singh acting as its chairman. Singh, who is pursuing a third term at the helm of the federation, has abstained from holding the elections amid concerns that the majority of state member associations may not support him. Previously, the returning officer (RO) appointed by the Singh-led BFI, former Delhi high court judge R K Gauba, stepped down from his position, citing an 'unhealthy and uncalled for smear campaign' against him by various factions within the federation. The committee formed by the sport's global governing body has been given a 90-day mandate to function, though there is no set timeline for electing new office-bearers for the term 2025-2029. The elections were rescheduled for March 28 on Himachal high court's order but have since been postponed indefinitely.
