INDIAN Olympic boxer Nishant Dev has turned professional with Matchroom Boxing. Dev represented his country at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, losing out in the quarter-finals to Marco Verde. Mexico’s Verde has also turned over, signing with Canelo Promotions’ Eddy Reynoso.
That could be a rivalry to revisit in the future, but for now, Dev, 24, is focused on his Las Vegas debut against first opponent Alton Wiggins. That six-rounder takes place on the undercard of Diego Pacheco vs Steven Nelson on January 25.
“My goal is to become India’s first ever world professional boxing champion and I know I have a whole nation behind me to help me achieve this,” buzzed the Bangalore native.
“I’m working hard every day with my trainer Ronald Simms, I know I have the right team behind me and the biggest promoter in the world to ensure that I reach the very top in the sport.
“I enjoyed my time as an amateur boxer and competed at the very highest level in the Olympics and winning a World Championship medal, but now I’m ready for this new chapter in my career. The journey to the World Championship starts in Las Vegas on January 25!”
Eddie Hearn added: “Nishant has all the tools to become a major player in the sport and a big star back home, and with the backing of Matchroom and DAZN, this young man will have every opportunity to make it, starting with a pro debut in Las Vegas.”
Dev follows in the footsteps of previous Indian pro boxing aspirants like Vijender Singh, who compiled a 13-1 record and was last seen in 2022. Neeraj Goyat failed to qualify for the 2012 London tournament but has forged a career as a jovial gatekeeper.
