Without good sparring partners...: Lovlina Borgohain on early exit from World Boxing C'ships

Lovlina Borgohain makes early exit from boxing World C'ships.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain took to social media on Saturday evening to share an emotional message following her unanimous 0-5 defeat against Turkey’s Busra Isildar in the second round of the women’s 75kg event at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool.

This was her first public statement since making a comeback to international competition after being away for nearly a year, where she expressed the deep sense of disappointment and struggle she is currently experiencing.

"After 1 year away, I stepped into my first international competition. I lost in my very first fight… it hurts," she wrote.

"I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it this time. "But everyone knows—I never fight for anything else, only for my training. I never demand luxury, I only ask for good training," she added.

After 1 year away, I stepped into my first international competition.
I lost in my very first fight… it hurts.
I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it this time.

But everyone knows—I never fight for anything else, only for my training.
I never demand luxury, I only ask for good training

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— Lovlina Borgohain (@LovlinaBorgohai) September 6, 2025

"Before the Tokyo Olympics, we had proper international camps. l used to request international sparring partners for training. But before the Paris Olympics, I got very few competitions and very little international camp exposure," she said.

"Without good sparring partners, how can I keep improving myself?" she asked.

Borgohain claimed that, in the lead-up to the 2025 World Boxing Championships — the first major tournament organized by the newly established World Boxing body — she was deprived of the kind of training and coaching support she genuinely needed.

Still, even after giving everything to my country,
I don't always get the training or coach that I truly need.
Every fight I enter, I cross difficulties alone.

— Lovlina Borgohain (@LovlinaBorgohai) September 6, 2025

"Even after giving everything to my country, I don't always get the training or coach that I truly need. Every fight I enter, I cross difficulties alone," she wrote.

Tell me... is it right to always keep my head down,
to keep training silently despite everything?
After giving my all for my country, is it right to still walk with my head down?

— Lovlina Borgohain (@LovlinaBorgohai) September 6, 2025

Nikhat's win was the only silver lining for India on the third day of competition as three others -- Lovlina (75kg), Hitesh Gulia (70kg) and Sanju Khatru (60kg) -- suffered contrasting losses.

Unseeded Nikhat, who had been sidelined by injury since her second-round exit in Paris last August, looked sharp in her comeback fight in the women's 51kg division. She eased past USA's Jennifer Lozano with a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision win in the round of 32.

Showcasing her trademark tactical discipline, 29-year-old Nikhat started cautiously, struggling to connect in the opening exchanges.

But a crisp combination midway through the first round settled her nerves. From there, she grew in confidence, using her movement to control distance and picking her punches with precision to leave little doubt on the judges' scorecards.

She will take on Japanese boxer Yuna Nishinaka in the pre-quarterfinals. (With PTI inputs)