India’s sensational run at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 gained further momentum as rising boxer Pawan Bartwal (55kg) delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, knocking out Brazil World Cup gold medallist Altynbek Nursultan in a thrilling quarterfinal bout on Day 2 in New Delhi.
Bartwal, who began his boxing journey in the early 2010s, showed nerves of steel and exceptional defensive intelligence against the second-seeded Kazakh. The Services boxer repeatedly pushed Nursultan onto the ropes, cutting off his angles and capitalising on every opening with precision counters.
“Nursultan is a good boxer; he was a champion at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil this year. I was nervous at the beginning, but the home crowd gave me confidence,” Pawan said after the bout. “This is my first international medal, and I am extremely proud.”
His tactical discipline throughout the three rounds proved decisive as he outworked the favourite, securing his maiden international medal and booking a spot in the semifinals.
Pawan’s win also added to India’s flawless day at the event, with Sumit (75kg), Naveen (90kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg), and Jadumani Singh (50kg) also advancing with strong victories across both sessions.
With momentum now firmly behind him, Bartwal will enter the semifinals as one of India’s most exciting medal contenders at the year-ending championship.
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