Liverpool: Amateur boxing champion Huang Hsiao-wen has faced challenges throughout 2025, but her gold medal victory at the 2025 World Boxing Championships on Sunday has silenced doubts regarding her prowess, according to her coach, Liu Tsung-tai.

According to Focus Taiwan, Huang triumphed over Yoseline Perez from the United States in Liverpool, England, with a 4-1 victory in the women's 54-kilogram division final. This achievement makes her the first Taiwanese boxer to secure three world championship titles. The win was an emotional moment for Huang as she broke into tears, overwhelmed by relief after a challenging, medal-less year.

"This gold medal was really hard-fought, especially because boxing was almost excluded from the Olympic Games," Liu expressed to CNA post-bout. He highlighted that Huang has now won three world championship golds over six years, dispelling notions that her victories were mere luck.

The tournament marked the inaugural edition of World Boxing's world championships, following the International Boxing Association's loss of credibility over governance, financial, and ethical concerns. Huang's prior titles were earned in 2019 and 2023 under the IBA's Women's World Boxing Championships.

Liu's comments also referenced Huang's early exit in the Paris Games, following her historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Games in 2021, which was Taiwan's first Olympic boxing medal.

Huang's victory was largely attributed to her aggressive strategy in the third round against Perez. "I told Hsiao-wen the bout was all about the third round," Liu noted, emphasizing the importance of attacking to counter Perez's heavy punches.

The match saw Huang and Perez evenly matched after two rounds, but Huang secured the win with a 29-28 score on four judges' scorecards, while a judge from Guatemala favored Perez 30-27.

Huang also revealed that she competed through significant pain, having injured her right thumb during training in South Korea. Despite worsening swelling, she endured the pain, supported by medical treatments and daily painkillers, to prepare for the championships.

Reflecting on her treatment, Huang shared the ordeal of undergoing procedures to manage the swelling and her fear of needles. Her determination to compete, despite the injury, was evident as she decided to focus solely on the final bout, disregarding the potential risk to her thumb.

The gold medal has bolstered Huang's confidence, yet she remains focused on continuous improvement. "Now everyone knows my style and will study me closely. I have to keep improving," she stated.