Nishant Dev debut date arranged after signing pro terms with Matchroom

Nishant Dev

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. Mexicoโ€™s Verde has also turned over, signing with Canelo Promotionsโ€™ 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.

โ€œMy 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,โ€ buzzed the Bangalore native.

โ€œI’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.

โ€œI 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!โ€

Eddie Hearn added: โ€œNishant 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.โ€

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.

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