LIVERPOOL, England – The inaugural **World Boxing Championships 2025** drew to an electrifying close on **14 September 2025** at the Liverpool Arena, with over 500 boxers from nearly 70 nations competing across men’s and women’s divisions in what many are calling a landmark event for the sport under the new World Boxing federation.
The tournament, held from **4–14 September**, marked the first time that men’s and women’s world championships were organized together under World Boxing, the newly formed international body replacing the former IBA. Over **540 competitors representing 68 countries** took part, showcasing both the depth and global spread of boxing talent.
At the end of ten thrilling days, Kazakhstan emerged as the dominant nation in medal performance. The Kazakh team collected **seven golds, one silver, and two bronze medals**, topping the gold-medal table. Uzbekistan came in second in gold count with six golds, supported by two silvers and three bronzes. However, in terms of total medal haul, Uzbekistan out-paced Kazakhstan, 11 to 10.
Some of the most noteworthy outcomes included:
- **Kazakhstan’s landmark win in the super-heavyweight division (+90kg)**: Aibek Oralbay defeated Uzbekistan’s Jahongir Zokirov to secure the gold in the final, a result that helped seal first-place for his country in the medal table.
- In men’s middleweight (75kg), **Fazliddin Erkinboev of Uzbekistan** overcame Bulgaria’s top-seeded Rami Kiwan to take gold.
- Among women’s categories, **Alua Balkibekova** (Kazakhstan, 51kg), **Aida Abikeyeva** (Kazakhstan, 65kg), and **Natalya Bogdanova** (Kazakhstan, 70kg) all secured golds, recording impressive performances in their finals.
- A major breakthrough came for **India’s Jaismine Lamboria**, who won gold in the women’s 57kg featherweight division by defeating Poland’s Julia Szeremeta.
- Also of note: Irish boxer **Aoife O’Rourke** claimed gold in the women’s 75kg division after a convincing unanimous decision over Turkey’s Busra Isildar.
The final day’s action was particularly intense, with most finals contested between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the men’s weights. Of the men’s gold medals awarded, only one final did not feature those two: that was the women’s 48kg, won by India’s Minakshi over Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay.
For the host nation, England, the event offered both pride and frustration. While English boxers won **five medals** overall—including silvers and bronzes—and performed admirably, they were unable to secure any golds.
World Boxing’s leadership hailed the Championships as a success. Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing, praised the organisational standard at Liverpool, the quality of competition, and the positive feedback from athletes, coaches, and officials. The smooth running of the event is seen as setting a high benchmark for future editions.
Overall, Liverpool 2025 will be remembered not just for its medal winners, but for its role in establishing a new era in amateur boxing: one combining men’s and women’s divisions under a unified leadership, delivering Olympic-qualifying stakes, and spotlighting rising nations alongside traditional powerhouses. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, many of the boxers who made their mark here will be ones to watch.