India's Campaign at Inaugural World Boxing Cup Begins on a Sour Note

New Delhi, April 1 — India’s debut at the inaugural World Boxing Cup got off to a disappointing start as national light heavyweight champion Lakshya Chahar suffered a heavy defeat in his opening bout in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.

Lakshya Chahar Outclassed by Brazilian Olympian​

Chahar, competing in the 80kg category, lost by unanimous decision (0-5) to local favorite Wanderley Pereira in the pre-quarterfinals at the Rafain Palace Hotel & Convention on Monday night. Pereira, a silver medallist at the 2023 World Championships and a confirmed Paris Olympian, dominated the match from start to finish.

The judges' scores reflected the one-sided nature of the bout, with four of them awarding Pereira a perfect 30, bringing his total to 149 out of 150. Chahar ended with a score of 135, underlining the gap in performance.

Upcoming Bouts for Indian Boxers​

Despite the early setback, three more Indian boxers are set to step into the ring on the second day of the six-day tournament:

• Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50kg): The 20-year-old faces a stern test against Ellis Trowbridge of Great Britain, the 2023 World Boxing Cup silver medallist. A win would secure Jadumani a spot in the semifinals.
• Nikhil Dubey (75kg): Nikhil will take on Brazil’s Kaue Belini in a high-stakes quarterfinal match.
• Jugnoo (85kg): Jugnoo will battle France’s Abdoulaye Traore for a place in the last eight.

A Landmark Tournament for World Boxing and India​

This tournament is the first major event organized by World Boxing following its provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February. It also represents a critical milestone for Indian boxing:

• It is the first international appearance for India’s elite boxers post the Paris Olympic qualifiers.
• Indian athletes are also competing under the new weight categories introduced by World Boxing.

As the competition progresses, India will look to bounce back from the opening day loss and make a mark on the global stage.