Indian boxers Manish Rathore, Hitesh, and Abhinash Jamwal lit up the ring at the World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 on Wednesday, each securing dominant wins in their respective quarterfinals.

Jamwal tamed Germany’s Denis Bril with a unanimous decision in the 65kg category, while Hitesh defeated Italy’s Gabriele Guidi Rontani by the same scoreline in the 70kg category.

In the 55kg category, Manish Rathore faced Australia’s Paris Olympian Yusuf Chothia. The Indian national champion proved that he was well-prepared for whatever his opponent threw at him. Both boxers kept things tight in all three rounds, with Rathore emerging victorious as three judges ruled in his favour, while two gave equal points to both.

In the semifinals, Rathore will face Nursultan Altynbek of Kazakhstan, Hitesh will take on Makan Traore, and Jamwal will play Gianluigi Malanga of Italy.

Earlier, national champion Jadumani Singh Mandengbam overcame Ellis Trowbridge of Great Britain to reach the semifinals in the 50kg category on Wednesday.

Trowbridge, the 2024 World Boxing Cup Finals silver medallist, began the bout in his usual aggressive style, but the Indian was prepared to absorb the pressure and find ways to land his punches, earning a 3:2 split decision in his favour.

Jadumani will now face former Asian U-22 champion Asilbek Jalilov for a place in the final. However, India’s challenge in the 75kg, 85kg, and 90+kg categories came to an end after all three boxers fought valiantly in their respective bouts.

Nikhil Dubey lost the 75kg bout 0:5 against local favourite Kaue Belini, while Jugnoo was on the wrong end of a 1:4 split decision against France’s Abdoulaye Traore in the 85kg category.

Narender came close to beating Kazakhstan’s Daniyal Saparbay, even earning a 30-27 verdict from one judge, but lost the 90+kg bout on a 3:2 split decision.

-IANS