Husamuddin leads strong start at BFI Cup Elite Men’s Boxing in Chennai

World Championships bronze medallist Mohammad Husamuddin began with a dominant 5:0 win at the BFI Cup 2025 in Chennai. Bhawna Sharma and Parthvi Grehwal impressed in women’s bouts, as Services boxers and top national talent showcased their skills across categories

Hyderabad: World Championships bronze medallist Mohammad Husamuddin (Services) lived up to his reputation as one of India’s most reliable performers on the big stage, cruising through his opening bout at the BFI Cup Elite Men’s Boxing Championship 2025 in Chennai on Friday with a dominant 5:0 verdict over Services’ Harsh.

In an endeavour to provide upcoming boxers a platform to showcase their skills and give established stars an opportunity to test their preparations, BFI is hosting the inaugural BFI Cup 2025 in Chennai from October 1 to 7. The event features competitions for both Elite Men and Women across 10 weight categories each, aligned with World Boxing standards. Gold and silver medallists will earn a pathway into the Elite National Camp.

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The Elite Women’s competition also witnessed standout performances. Bhawna Sharma (Railways), a U-22 Asian bronze medallist, edged Simran (Haryana) with a hard-fought 3:2 split decision in the 48-51kg category. Meanwhile, Parthvi Grehwal (Rajasthan) delivered a commanding performance, sealing her bout with an RSC (Referee Stopped Contest) win and reinforcing her rising status in Indian boxing.

In the men’s draw, apart from Husamuddin, Services boxers continued to impress, with strong performances adding to their team’s momentum. The women’s bouts showcased depth and promise, with Bhawna and Parthvi’s wins underlining the growing wave of talent.

Boxers from State units and boards that finished in the top eight at the Elite Nationals are competing at the BFI Cup, joined by entries from SAI NCOE and host state Tamil Nadu. The lineup also includes participants from the last two Elite National Championships, Indian team members from the 2024 and 2025 Asian U-22 Championships, as well as medallists from international competitions since 2022.

Adding further depth to the competition are medallists from the Goa and Uttarakhand National Games and the 6th Youth Nationals. All entries are routed through official State units and boards.