Boxing Nationals: Next-Gen announces arrival as Jadumani Singh batters veteran Amit Panghal

Not long ago, Amit Panghal was India’s number one boxer in the lower weight categories, competing at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics while winning the 2018 Asian Games gold medal and a World Championships silver in 2019.

However, time stands still for no one as the 30-year-old found out in his semifinal loss to youngster Jadumani Singh at the ongoing boxing nationals.

The 21-year-old from Manipur was too quick for the veteran and despite Amit’s best attempts, he had run out of gas by the end of the second round.

Jadumani started the bout with a flurry of punches while Amit was still gauging his opponent. While he managed to land a few jabs, Amit’s defence saved him from the onslaught before he landed a few punches of his own. The youngster’s aggressive start helped him win the first round.

“I have trained with Amit bhai in the past. He is a legend of the game. Last year before the Paris Olympics, I sparred with him and learnt a lot. I asked him how to correct my mistakes and he would explain it to me. Today was a good win for me,” Jadumani said after the bout.

Years old, already defeating Olympic veterans Only 1 month in new category, already in national final

Both from Army Sports Institute, Pune Know each other's game inside out

Jadumani's Journey to National Final

In the second round, Jadumani was more accurate and the power in his punches took its toll on Panghal. One of them resulted in a cut on Amit’s forehead. It was clear then itself that the former World number one was distinctly second-best in the contest.

Both Jadumani and Amit represent the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and train at the Army Sports Institute in Pune.

“The second round of the bout was passing the baton in the real sense. Jadumani was better than Amit today and it shows that the next generation is ready to take up the mantle,” Hari Beniwal, head coach of SSCB men’s boxing, told The Indian Express. “Amit had the age factor against him. Lower-weight bouts are speedy and more fiercely competed. If a boxer is not in the right shape and training regime, it is tough to catch up.”

In the third round, Jadumani was moving around the ring and evaded Amit’s attacking intentions while occasionally landing his punches to claim the victory over the former Asian Games gold medallist.

Jadumani was one of the brightest Indian boxers in 2025 with two medals at the World Boxing Cups in the 50kg category.

At the World Championships in Liverpool, he had a good run till quarter-finals where he lost to eventual world champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan.

But in 2026, Jadumani decided to move up to 55kg, the lowest weight category in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics programme. While it has gone well for him in the first tournament of the year, height is going to be an issue for the feisty pugilist.

“There are primarily two reasons why we moved him to the 55kg category: one is the Olympics and the other is his difficulty in cutting weight for the 50 kg category. I know he (Jadumani) might not have the height for the 55kg category but he makes up with his powerful punches and speed,” Beniwal explained. “We have got two good boxers in the category with Pawan Bartwal also doing well. I am hopeful for both of them succeeding at the international level this year.”

Jadumani will now take on Bartwal in Saturday’s final.

Jadumani is settling down in his new weight category but wants to give himself some more time to improve.

“I know there are a few issues with me in this category but it’s been just one month. I can already feel the power in my punches and the ease of cutting weight to 55kg as it is closer to my natural weight,” he said.

This particular weight category is going to be one of the most fiercely contested in Indian men’s boxing this year given upcoming tournaments like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Bartwal, who had a breakthrough year in 2025 with two World Cups medals, is Jadumani’s biggest hurdle.

“I have been training with Pawan for the past three years. We know each other’s games very well and it will be interesting to see how our bout turns out tomorrow,” said Jadumani.

The coach, however, is not ready to give up on the old horse.

“We have really good boxers in this weight category. Apart from Jadumani and Pawan, Amit is an experienced one and can spring a surprise anytime,” Beniwal said.

Saturday’s 55kg final will be one of the most anticipated bouts of the Nationals and might set the tone for Indian men’s boxing in 2026.