Laura Akram Makes History with Pakistan’s First Women’s World-Level Boxing Medal

In a milestone moment for Pakistan’s women’s boxing, Laura Akram has punched her way into the record books. The British-Pakistani fighter dominated her quarterfinal bout at the prestigious World Boxing Challenge—held as part of the Grand Prix Ústí nad Labem—securing a semifinal berth and, with it, Pakistan’s first-ever world-level medal in elite women’s boxing.

In Olympic-style boxing events, each semifinalist, irrespective of whether they lose, is awarded a bronze medal.

The 39-year-old, who committed to representing Pakistan internationally in 2023, reached the semifinals of the 57kg category with a resounding 5-0 win over Palestine’s Noura Salman. Laura Akram has quickly become a trailblazer in the ring. Already the national champion, Laura’s rise has been nothing short of sensational. Her emphatic performance on the international stage not only assures her a medal but also cements her status as the face of a new era for Pakistan’s women in combat sports.

She will next face Mongolia’s Michidmaa Erdenedalai in the semifinals today.

This year’s Grand Prix Ústí nad Labem, hosted by the Czech Boxing Association, carries added weight—both symbolically and competitively. The tournament celebrates its 100-year anniversary and, for the second consecutive year, holds World Boxing Challenge status. It has attracted 184 boxers from 23 national federations, making Laura Akram’s achievement all the more remarkable in such a deep and competitive field.

The event, which runs from 11–14 June at the Winter Stadium in Czechia, is a key stop on the international boxing calendar. With the World Championships in Liverpool looming, the tournament serves as a high-stakes proving ground, mirroring the championship format with ten men’s and ten women’s categories.

Following the conclusion of the World Boxing Challenge, attention will shift to the World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan later this month (30 June – 6 July), before the road leads to Liverpool for the 2025 World Championships. But for now, all focus remains on Laura Akram—Pakistan’s newest sporting history-maker, and a boxer with unfinished business in the ring.