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India's Greatest Boxers of all Time

The nation's rise to the top of boxing has been nothing short of extraordinary, but it has not been an easy ride. We look at some of the greatest boxing stars to come out of India.

India's Greatest Boxers of all Time
India's Greatest Boxers of all Time

While many believe professional boxing is centred on the European scene, India is becoming a global power in pugilism. The nation's rise to the top of boxing has been nothing short of extraordinary, but it has not been an easy ride.

India's Boxing History

India's boxing origins can be dated back to ancient times. Research suggests that mentions of the sport "mushti-yuddha" can be found in ancient texts, including the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. Mushti-yuddha was a sport that loosely translates to "War of Fists", and is accepted as the first evidence of boxing in India.

However, Indian boxing was only taken seriously in 1925 due to the establishment of the Bombay Presidency Amateur Boxing Federation.

Boxing gradually developed in India over the succeeding decades. Following India's independence from British rule, the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was established in 1949.

In 1950, the national boxing championships in India were held at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. This was the first city to formally hold boxing tournaments in India.

Since then, Indian boxing has gone from strength to strength, with some notable figures putting Indian boxing on the global main stage.

Below, we look at some of the biggest boxing stars derived from India.

Mary Kom

Kom is the only female boxer to clinch a medal in each of the first seven World Championships,
Kom is the only female boxer to clinch a medal in each of the first seven World Championships,

Mary Kom is a female professional boxer deriving form the Churachandpur district of India. She is the ONLY woman to secure six World Amateur Boxing Championship titles. In addition to this accolade, Kom is the only female boxer to clinch a medal in each of the first seven World Championships, and the only boxer (male or female), to amass eight World Championship medals.

As well as being a revered name in India, Mary Kom has fought many opponents across the globe in their back cards. Here are the most noteworthy integrational achievements:

International Titles:

YearMedalWeight (kg)CompetitionLocation
2001Silver (2nd)48AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsScranton, USA
2002Gold (1st)45AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsAntalya, Turkey
2002Gold (1st)45Witch CupPรฉcs, Hungary
2003Gold (1st)46Asian Women's ChampionshipsHisar, India
2004Gold (1st)41Women's World CupTรธnsberg, Norway
2005Gold (1st)46Asian Women's ChampionshipsKaohsiung, Taiwan
2005Gold (1st)46AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsPodolsk, Russia
2006Gold (1st)46AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsNew Delhi, India
2006Gold (1st)46Venus Women's Box CupVejle, Denmark
2008Gold (1st)46AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsNingbo, China
2008Silver (2nd)46Asian Women's ChampionshipsGuwahati, India
2009Gold (1st)46Asian Indoor GamesHanoi, Vietnam
2010Gold (1st)48AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsBridgetown, Barbados
2010Gold (1st)46Asian Women's ChampionshipsAstana, Kazakhstan
2010Bronze (3rd)51Asian GamesGuangzhou, China
2011Gold (1st)48Asian Women's CupHaikou, China
2012Gold (1st)41Asian Women's ChampionshipsUlan Bator, Mongolia
2012Bronze (3rd)51Summer OlympicsLondon, UK
2014Gold (1st)51Asian GamesIncheon, South Korea
2017Gold (1st)48Asian Women's ChampionshipsHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2018Gold (1st)45โ€“48Commonwealth GamesGold Coast, Australia
2018Gold (1st)45โ€“48AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsNew Delhi, India
2019Bronze (3rd)51AIBA Women's World ChampionshipsUlan-Ude, Russia

At the beginning of this year, Kom reluctantly announced her retirement. Due to the International Boxing Association's rules, boxers can fight at the elite level until they are 40 years old.

"I have the hunger still but unfortunately because of the age limit it is over I cannot compete in any competition. I want to play more but I am being forced to quit (due to the age limit). I have to retire. I have achieved everything in my life," Mary said.

Mary Kom makes retirement announcement.

Vijender Singh

In 2008, Vijender Singh became the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal.
In 2008, Vijender Singh became the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal.

Vijender Singh is a boxer from Haryana who has enjoyed great success in both amateur and professional boxing. From humble beginnings, Singh's father worked as a bus driver, working around the clock to support Vijender in his education and professional endeavours.

In 2008, Vijender Singh became the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. This marked the beginning of a long and lustrous career.

Boxing Match Records

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, TimeDateLocation
14Win13โ€“1Eliasu SulleyKO2 (6), 2:0717 Aug 2022Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, Raipur, India
13Loss12โ€“1Artysh LopsanTKO5 (8), 1:0919 Mar 2021Majestic Pride Casino, Goa, India
12Win12โ€“0 Charles AdamuUD822 Nov 2019Caesars Palace Dubai, Dubai, UAE
11Win11โ€“0 Mike SniderKO4 (8), 1:2313 Jul 2019Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, USA
10Win10โ€“0 Ernest AmuzuUD1023 Dec 2017Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, Jaipur, India
9Win9โ€“0 Zulpikar MaimaitialiUD105 Aug 2017Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium, Mumbai, India
8Win8โ€“0 Francis ChekaTKO3 (10), 1:3617 Dec 2016Thyagaraj Sports Complex, New Delhi, India
7Win7โ€“0 Kerry HopeUD1016 Jul 2016Thyagaraj Sports Complex, New Delhi, India
6Win6โ€“0 Andrzej SoldraTKO3 (8), 2:0013 May 2016Macron Stadium, Bolton, England
5Win5โ€“0 Matiouze RoyerTKO5 (6), 1:1030 Apr 2016Copper Box Arena, London, England
4Win4โ€“0 Alexander HorvathKO3 (6), 1:0212 Mar 2016Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
3Win3โ€“0 Samet HyuseinovTKO2 (4), 0:3519 Dec 2015Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
2Win2โ€“0 Dean GillenKO1 (4), 3:067 Nov 2015National Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
1Win1โ€“0 Sonny WhitingTKO3 (4), 2:0810 Oct 2015Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Vijender Singh in action!

Laishram Sarita Devi

In 2021, Sarita Devi  represented India at the Asian Boxing Championships held in Bangkok
In 2021, Sarita Devi represented India at the Asian Boxing Championships held in Bangkok

Laishram Sarita Devi is a female boxer from India. Born in 1982, Sarita Devi derives from Manipur in northeast of India. She famously credits Muhammad Ali as her inspiration to turn pro in 2000.

In 2021, Sarita Devi  represented India at the Asian Boxing Championships held in Bangkok. She left the competition with a silver medal.

She catapulted into the top ranks of the sport and in  2009 she was given the Arjuna award. This is a symbol of hard work, dedication and concentration in Hinduism.

A look back at Laishram Sarita Devi's boxing career

Akhil Kumar

In 2005, the Indian government honoured Kumar with the Arjuna Award for his accomplishments in international boxing.
In 2005, the Indian government honoured Kumar with the Arjuna Award for his accomplishments in international boxing.

Akhil Kumar, born on March 27th, 1981, is an Indian boxer famed for winning numerous international and national boxing awards. 

Akhil Kumar's Achievements

YearEventMedalCategoryNotes
19996th YMCA Junior International ChampionshipGold-First international competition
2001International Invitational Championship, RussiaGold-
2003-GoldFlyweightDefeated Vilitio M Payla (Php) 20-16
20041st AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying TournamentSilver-Qualified for Athens Olympics, lost in the first round
20054th Commonwealth Federation ChampionshipsGold54 kgDefeated Bongani Mahalangu 18-17 in the final
2006Melbourne Commonwealth GamesGoldBantamweight 54 kgDefeated Bruno Julie in the final
2008Beijing Olympics-Bantamweight 54 kgReached quarterfinals, defeating World Champion Sergey Vodopyanov
2008AIBA World Cup, MoscowBronze-Defeated Marcel Schinder in the quarterfinals
2012London Olympics--Ruled out due to injury, failed to reduce weight for Asian Continental Olympic qualification
Kumar in the ring!

Additional Awards

AwardQuantity
Best Boxer Award3 times
Gold Medals12
Silver Medals1
Bronze Medals4

In 2005, the Indian government honoured Kumar with the Arjuna Award for his accomplishments in international boxing. In March 2017, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports appointed Akhil Kumar, along with Mary Kom, as "national observers" for boxing.

Betting on Boxing in India

Due to the rise in Indian fighters, boxing has become an extremely popular betting market, with all top betting sites in India featuring boxing betting options. These include the likes of 10Cric, 1XBet, Rajabet and many more! 

If you are looking at boxing betting options, then you are on the right website. At betting.bet, we ensure all Indian bettors have access to the best betting sites and offers. This is in addition to boxing betting tips, previews and more!