In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Indian boxer Preeti Pawar delivered a stunning upset at the ongoing World Boxing Cup Finals, defeating the celebrated Olympic medallist and three-time world champion, Huang Hsiao-Wen of Chinese Taipei. The semi-final clash in the 54 kg category on Tuesday at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida was a testament to India's rising boxing prowess.
Preeti, who is making her return to the ring after the 2024 Paris Olympics, showed no signs of intimidation against her decorated opponent. She matched the world champion punch for punch in a thrilling contest that captivated the home crowd.
A Champion's Mindset
The bout began with Huang Hsiao-Wen taking an early initiative, controlling the first round. However, Preeti Pawar shifted gears dramatically in the second round, becoming the more dominant boxer. She consistently landed clean punches, disrupting the rhythm of the reigning world champion and denying her any momentum.
The final round saw Preeti seal her victory with two powerful combinations that forced Huang onto the back foot. The Taiwanese boxer could not recover, ultimately losing the bout with a decisive 0-4 scoreline.
When questioned about facing such a formidable opponent, Preeti revealed her champion's philosophy. "I knew she is a world champion, but to become a world champion, you must beat a world champion," Preeti stated. "That was my mindset going into the bout — that I have to give my 100 per cent and win in front of the home crowd."
Successful Returns to the Ring
Preeti was not the only Indian boxer marking a successful international comeback. Arundhati Chaudhary, a former World youth champion, made a resounding return in the 70 kg category with a commanding win over Germany's Leonie Muller.
Arundhati was in dominant form from the opening bell. She knocked down her German opponent once in the second round. The referee was forced to stop the contest in the third round after another powerful jab from Arundhati sent Muller to the canvas again, securing a victory by Referee Stopped Contest (RSC).
This victory was particularly significant for Arundhati, who was competing internationally after a wrist surgery and her last appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers. "I was nervous to begin with because my last international experience was a loss," she confessed. "But I told myself, 'This is what I've been waiting for,' and now I'm back."
Other Notable Indian Performances
The day of semi-finals was filled with strong performances from the Indian contingent. Parveen Hooda, the Asian Games bronze medallist, also marked her international return with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Poland's Aneta Elżbieta, a World Championships silver medallist, in the 60 kg category.
The Indian boxers advancing to the finals in their respective weight categories include:
- Minakshi Hooda (48kg)
- Nupur (+80kg)
- Ankush Phangal (80kg)
- Abhinash Jamwal (65kg)
- Narender Berwal (+90kg)
Unfortunately, Saweety Boora (75 kg) and Naveen Kumar (90 kg) lost their respective semi-final bouts and will settle for bronze medals. The World Boxing Cup Finals have firmly placed the spotlight on India's boxing talent, signaling a bright future for the sport in the country.
