2025 Boxing World Championships in Liverpool: Kazakhstan Triumphs, All the Tournament Stars

The curtain fell on the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena after ten days of high-level competition and more than 500 bouts. The final act came courtesy of super-heavyweight Aibek Oralbay, who edged Uzbekistan’s Jahongir Zokirov in a tight final to secure Kazakhstan’s seventh gold and send Kazakhstan to the top of the medals table with 7 golds, 1 silver and 2 bronzes.

Uzbekistan, despite collecting more overall medals (11 in total), finished second with six world titles. India and Brazil completed the group of nations that took multiple golds, largely thanks to strong performances in the women’s events.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: the two schools that dominate amateur boxing

The outcome in Liverpool confirmed a trend that has become familiar: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to dominate amateur boxing, particularly in the men’s divisions. Between them they won every male weight category at these Championships.

Kazakhstan’s success is the product of a deep, structured system that blends Soviet-era boxing traditions with sustained investment in youth programmes and training facilities. Besides Oralbay, fighters such as Sanzhar Tashkenbay (50 kg) and Makhmud Sabyrkhan (55 kg) stood out, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s standing. On the women’s side, Aida Abikeyeva (65 kg) and Alua Balkibekova (51 kg) underlined the growth of Kazakh female boxing.

Uzbekistan arrived in Liverpool with a roster rich in Olympic and world-class pedigree. Abdumalik Khalokov was among the brightest lights — already an Olympic gold medallist in Paris 2024 and now world champion at 60 kg — while Asadkhuja Muydinkhjaev (65 kg), Javokhir Ummataliev (80 kg) and Navbakhor Khamidova (women’s 65 kg) were other major contributors to Uzbekistan’s impressive medal haul.

Surprises and rising nations: India, Brazil, Ireland and Chinese Taipei

Despite the Central Asian dominance, Liverpool delivered memorable upsets and breakthrough moments. India celebrated the gold of Minakshi at 48 kg after a dramatic final against Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay. Brazil claimed an important victory thanks to Rebecca De Lima Santos, who won a narrow decision in the women’s 60 kg final, a follow-up to her success at the Astana World Cup.

Ireland enjoyed a major night thanks to Aoife O’Rourke, who dominated the women’s 75 kg final and looks set to be a major figure heading into the Olympic cycle. Chinese Taipei also made its mark with Hsiao-Wen Huang taking gold at 54 kg, a result that highlights the rise of women’s boxing across Asia.

Italy and Sirine Charaabi

For Italy, Liverpool brought one precious moment: the bronze medal won by Sirine Charaabi in the women’s 57 kg division. Charaabi was the only Italian to reach the podium and represents a key foundation on which the national team can build going forward.

From Astana to Liverpool: confirmation and shifts

The road to Liverpool passed through the World Boxing Cup in Astana, where many names first emerged. Champions in Astana — including Oralbay, Sabyrkhan and Tashkenbay — confirmed their status at the World Championships. Others who shone in Astana experienced different fortunes in Liverpool, illustrating how competitive and changeable the international scene has become. The continuity between the World Cup and the World Championships shows these events are now the primary proving ground for global-level boxers.

With over 80 nations represented and 520 matches fought, the Liverpool World Championships delivered an outstanding spectacle and set new organisational standards for international boxing. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s dominance was the headline, but India, Brazil, Ireland and Chinese Taipei reminded the sport that talent is global. Italy returns home with the inspiration of Sirine Charaabi’s bronze and the challenge of improving in the next cycle.

Medal table – World Boxing Championships 2025 (Liverpool)

Note: medal counts are based on the official Liverpool 2025 results.