2025

The World Boxing Championships 2025 got underway today with 60 bouts across two sessions of world-class action at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England.

Host nation, England was quick out of the blocks with three wins in front of their home fans for Ellis Trowbridge (M55kg), Lauren Mackie (W54kg) and Paris Olympian, Chantelle Reid (W70kg).  The only disappointment on a fine opening day for the hosts was a split decision loss for Isaac Okoh (M90kg) against Sagyndyk Togambay of Kazakhstan. 

Trowbridge was the only English boxer to compete in the early session and secured the home nation’s first win of the day with a 5:0 unanimous victory over Albania’s Ardit Murja. He will meet Rui Yamaguchi of Japan in the next round.

Trowbridge said: “I showed my composure, and I showed my skill, and I am looking forward to building on this momentum now. Doing it in from of a home crowd brings my game to the next level, so bring on the next round.

 “This is the first day of fights and the atmosphere was great. So, it’s only going to pick up from day to day, and that means I’ve got to step it up every single time and I’m going to do that.”

All of today’s results are available at: https://www.worldboxingliverpool.com/live-schedule-results

66 national federations are competing in the tournament, which is the first to host the men and women’s version of the world championships as part of the same event. All five continents that participate in Olympic-style boxing are represented in Liverpool.

Friday will see a further 64 bouts across two sessions. Session three gets underway from 11:00 (GMT) followed by session four at 18:00 (GMT), with action across two rings once again.

The daily schedule, official draw and all results and additional information can be found on the event’s official website: https://www.worldboxingliverpool.com/competition-documents. 

The World Boxing Championships 2025 is being livestreamed on World Boxing’s website via Eurovision Sport (available in selected territories) at https://worldboxing.org/watch-the-world-boxing-championships/.

World Boxing will be posting updates throughout the competition on its social media channels:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/officialworldboxing/
X – https://x.com/RealWorldBoxing
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWorldBoxing

540 boxers from 66 countries will take part in the inaugural World Boxing Championships when the action gets underway tomorrow, following the completion of the official competition draw this evening (Wednesday 3 September 2025)

The competition will be the biggest ever Olympic-style boxing event held in Great Britain and includes 17 medallists from Paris 2024 and more than 30 boxers that competed at the most recent Olympic Games. It will feature action at 10 weight classes for men and women with 80 medals being handed out, including 20 golds.

Full details of the competition draw are available HERE.

Every session of the World Boxing Championships 2025 will be livestreamed on World Boxing’s website via Eurovision Sport (available in selected territories) at https://worldboxing.org/watch-the-world-boxing-championships/.

From tomorrow, details of the draw, daily schedules, results and additional information can be found on the event’s official website: https://www.worldboxingliverpool.com/

World Boxing will be posting updates throughout the competition on its social media channels:

• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/officialworldboxing/
• X – https://x.com/RealWorldBoxing
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWorldBoxing

The full list of national federations competing at the World Boxing Championships 2025 are: Albania, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Wales.

The inaugural World Boxing Championships get underway this week with the world’s best Olympic-style boxers descending on the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England for ten days of boxing action, 4-14 September 2025.

More than 540 men and women from over 66 national federations will compete in the tournament which will the first time ever that the men and women’s version of the world championships has been held as part of the same event.

It will be the biggest ever Olympic-style boxing event held in Great Britain and features 17 medallists from Paris 2024 and more than 30 boxers that competed at that most recent Olympic Games.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has secured a historic agreement with World Boxing to stream the World Boxing Championships 2025 on Eurovision Sport, the EBU’s premier digital platform, bringing the action to audiences worldwide. To see the full list of territories this is available in, click HERE.

80 medals will be on offer, including 20 golds, when the action gets underway on Thursday, across 10 weight classes each for men and women. Full details of the weight categories and the competition schedule are available HERE.

The two gold medallist from Paris are Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan and Erislandy Alvarez of Cuba.

Khaolokov is part of a powerful Uzbek team that is hoping to build on the success that saw it finish top of the boxing medal table in Paris with five golds. Although he is the only one of those that will be boxing in Liverpool, the team also includes five of the men that topped the podium at this summer’s World Boxing Cup in Poland: Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov (55kg), Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev (65kg), Fazliddin Erkinboev (75kg), Akmaljon Isroiliv (85kg), Jakhongir Zokirov (90kg+).

From a nation that is synonymous with Olympic-style boxing, Alvarez is joined in an eight-man Cuban line-up that features one of the all-time greats in Julio César La Cruz.

Now 35 and boxing at super heavyweight, La Cruz is the most decorated boxer in the competition with two Olympic golds (from Rio and Tokyo) and five golds and one bronze from previous iterations of the world championships. The Championships in Liverpool may be a final hurrah for one of the great boxers of the modern era who is bound to be one of the star attractions.

In the women’s categories, competition looks fierce in the women’s featherweight (57kg) division which will feature Poland’s Paris silver medallist, Julia Szeremeta, and up-and-coming Brazilian, Jucielen Cerqueira Romeu.  Other Paris Olympians that will be hoping to contest the medals in this weight class include the USA’s Alyssa Mendoza and Ireland’s high-experienced two-time Olympian and three-time Commonwealth Games medallist, Michaela Walsh.

At the higher weights, the women’s middleweight (75kg) division offers up the possibility of a clash between Panama’s highly experienced Atheyna Bylon and Norwegian rising star, Sunniva Hofstad.  Bylon won silver in Paris where Hofstad made history by becoming the first Norwegian women in history to box at an Olympic Games.  She has been in terrific form in 2025 with three straight gold medals at World Boxing Cup events in Brazil, Poland and Kazakhstan.

Other Olympic medallists from 2024 that hope to be stepping onto the podium in Liverpool include Türkiye’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu (51kg) and Hatice Akbas (54kg) and Liu Yang (65kg) from China who all won silver in Paris. They are joined by bronze medallists, Nazym Kyzaibay (48kg) of Kazakhstan, South Korea’s Aeji Im (54kg) and Chin Chen (65kg) from Chinese Taipei.

The host nation, England, is fielding a full team of 20 that includes 16 boxers from the GB Boxing Olympic programme.  It includes Paris Olympian, Chantelle Reid at light middleweight (57kg) and two men light-middleweight (70kg) Odel Kamara and middleweight Callum Makin (75kg), who will be hoping to secure big support as they are competing in home city.

All five continents that participate in Olympic-style boxing are represented in Liverpool and African interest comes from Nigeria, which is sending a team of five men and five women that includes Paris Olympian, Adam Olaore.  Born in Lagos, but based in England, Olaore will be hoping to build on the success he enjoyed at the 2024 World Boxing Cup Finals in Sheffield when he made the podium with  a bronze medal at heavyweight (90kg).

The full list of national federations competing at the World Boxing Championships 2025 are: Albania, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Wales.

World Boxing President, Boris van der Vorst, said: “Coming six months after the International Olympic Committee confirmed that boxing will be part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, this is a major milestone for World Boxing and is the first time in history that elite male and female boxers are competing for the title of world champion at the same tournament.

“As a host city, Liverpool is the perfect location. Culturally, Liverpool is famous across the globe, while from a sporting perspective, it is known in every corner of the world.

“Liverpool is also a place with a proud tradition of boxing, with many boxers from the city that have represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games or won titles in the professional ranks.”

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader, Liverpool City Council, said: “On behalf of the city of Liverpool, it is my great pleasure to welcome athletes, officials, and fans from every corner of our planet to the 2025 World Boxing Championships.

“We will witness incredible talent, determination, and sportsmanship as the best boxers compete for world glory in the stunning setting of the M&S Bank Arena. This famous venue has regularly played host to some of the most memorable boxing nights this country has witnessed.

“Beyond the ring, we invite you to explore everything Liverpool has to offer – from our iconic waterfront and cultural landmarks to our diverse communities and world-class entertainment. This championship is more than a sporting event; it’s a celebration of unity, resilience, and the power of sport to inspire and connect us all.”

The World Boxing Championships 2025 will be livestreamed on World Boxing’s website via Eurovision Sport (available in selected territories) at https://worldboxing.org/watch-the-world-boxing-championships/

Draws, daily schedules, results and additional information can be found on the event’s official website: https://www.worldboxingliverpool.com/

World Boxing will be posting updates throughout the competition on its social media channels:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/officialworldboxing/
X – https://x.com/RealWorldBoxing
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWorldBoxing

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has secured a historic agreement with World Boxing to stream the World Boxing Championships 2025 on Eurovision Sport, the EBU’s premier digital platform, bringing the action to audiences worldwide.

Taking place in Liverpool from 4–14 September 2025, the event marks the first-ever boxing competition to be shown on Eurovision Sport and represents a further strategic expansion into Olympic sports for the platform.

The partnership will give boxing fans globally* access to live and on-demand coverage of the competition, meeting the growing demand for accessible, flexible sports viewing. EBU Members will also have the opportunity to cover the Championships through highlights, news features, and in some cases live broadcasts.

More than 500 boxers from over 60 countries are expected to compete across 10 weight classes for both men and women. The line-up features 17 medalists from the 2024 Olympic Games – nine women and eight men – and includes Abdumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan and Erislandy Alvarez of Cuba, who both won gold in Paris.

Additional athletes to watch will include Poland’s Julia Szeremeta and Panama’s Atheyna Bylon, who both claimed silver at Paris 2024. 

They will be joined by one of the all-time greats of Olympic-style boxing, Julio César La Cruz of Cuba. The thirty-five-year-old super heavyweight is a four-time Olympian and the most decorated boxer in the field, with Olympic gold medals in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, along with five golds and one bronze at the World Championships.

The Championships will also make history as the first-time men and women will compete for world titles together in Olympic-style boxing at the same event.

Alan Fagan, Managing Director, Eurovision Sport, said: “Eurovision Sport is proud to deliver global coverage of the World Boxing Championships 2025, giving fans around the world a front-row seat to the action. This event will be the first boxing tournament streamed on Eurovision Sport and the first-time men and women will compete for world titles together in Olympic-style boxing, marking our commitment to gender-balanced sports coverage and broadening our Olympic sports portfolio.”

Simon Toulson, Chief Operating Officer, World Boxing said: “World Boxing is proud to partner with the EBU for the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England. The enthusiasm, professionalism, and resources provided by Eurovision Sport will give these events significant audience reach and allow us to showcase Olympic-style boxing in a way not seen in recent times. We thank Eurovision Sport and look forward to a successful partnership.”

By combining Eurovision Sport’s growing digital footprint with World Boxing’s governing authority, the partnership sets a new standard for federations seeking to expand reach, drive fan engagement, and support grassroots participation through the visibility of elite competition.

* Territories

Asia

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

Caribbean

Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

Europe

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican State

Latin America (LATAM)

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen

North America

Puerto Rico, USA

Oceania

American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna

Sub-Saharan Africa

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, DR Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Liverpool is preparing to welcome the inaugural World Boxing Championships for Elite men and women this September – and a major community engagement programme is set to run alongside the sporting spectacle. 

From 4 – 14 September, the city will play host to the world’s best boxers, and Culture Liverpool is working with creative and sporting partners to ensure the event leaves a lasting legacy. The programme features three unique artistic residencies in schools and neighbourhoods, including a public exhibition celebrating the unsung heroes of the sport. 

Delivered in partnership with Open Eye Gallery and England Boxing, the Unsung Heroes exhibition will be on display at St George’s Hall – Stable Gallery shining a light on 20 grassroots figures nominated by local boxing clubs.  Photographers Emma Case and Katie Richardson, with filmmaker Susannah Fletcher, have captured portraits and stories of these “Unsung Heroes” – the people whose dedication continues to shape the boxing community.  The free exhibition runs 29 August – 20 September, open Monday-Saturday, 9am-4.30pm. 

Residencies will see artists working closely with local communities: At Rotunda ABC, artist and boxing coach Ciara Lyons is spending six weeks exploring stories of belonging, heritage and wellbeing, which will be developed into a film, performance and exhibition. Wired Aerial Theatre will work with secondary schools and take up residency at The Florrie – a venue with strong ties to Liverpool’s boxing history – delivering workshops and performances of their aerial theatre piece Me Vs Me. The production tackles themes of mental health and resilience, developed in partnership with mental health activists and education experts. Schools have also been offered the opportunity to attend boxing matches at the M&S Bank Arena during the championships. This programme has been made possible thanks to Liverpool City Council, World Boxing Championships, England Boxing, GB Boxing and UKSPF, with support from adi.tv. 

For more details, visit the Culture Liverpool website.  

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Liverpool has a proud history of hosting massive global events such as Eurovision and the World Gymnastics Championships, which not only boost the local economy but also offer an opportunity to inspire and raise the aspirations of young people. “It is a huge coup for Liverpool to be hosting the inaugural World Boxing Championships but we want the legacy of the event to last much longer than just 10 days. We are delighted to be working with our communities and boxing clubs to ensure that we can support the future grassroots development of boxing in the city.  “The engagement programme will support cross-curricular learning, while encouraging our young people to get into habits which improve their physical and mental health, that hopefully continue long after the event.” 

Jason Harborow, Chair of the World Boxing Championships 2025 Steering Group, added: “It is really important when major events like the World Boxing Championships come to the UK that they have a positive impact and celebrate the work of people that do so much good work in the community in delivering the sport at the grassroots and Unsung Heroes is a brilliant example of a project that is doing this. “Liverpool is one of the most vibrant cities in the UK when it comes to boxing and that is because of the great work that goes in clubs and communities, and it is fantastic to see that this is being acknowledged and celebrated as part of the World Boxing Championships.” 

Open Eye Gallery’s Head of Social Practice, Sophie Mahon, said: “This exhibition offers a unique insight into the faces and stories of those creating a lasting impact and legacy within their local clubs and communities, capturing the spirit, resilience, and impact of the sport at its roots. “As this project has made clear, at a grassroots level, boxing is about far more than competition. These clubs offer safe spaces, structure, and support, especially for young people, fostering resilience, self-belief, and connection.  “They are places where confidence is built and where champions are measured not only by medals, but by the positive change they inspire.”