![[Exclusive] Surprising Mike Tyson & Muhammad Ali Story Behind Matchroom's Nishant Dev's Career Revealed - EssentiallySports](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Muhammad-Ali-Mike-Tyson-Nishant-Dev.jpg)
India’s Nishant Dev is no stranger to stepping into the squared circle with the weight of heavy expectations on his shoulders. The 24-year-old southpaw first made waves during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he showcased his talent but fell short in a hard-fought quarterfinal bout against Mexico’s Marco Verde. But that wasn’t the end of his journey.
Dev now embarks on a new chapter in his boxing journey, turning his focus to the professional ranks. Recently signing with Matchroom Boxing, he is set to make his pro debut tonight against Berkeley, California’s Alton Wiggins. Ahead of this pivotal US debut on the undercard of Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson in Las Vegas, Dev spoke exclusively with EssentiallySports, sharing how icons like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Manny Pacquiao inspired his journey into boxing.
Boxing over video games
Speaking to Dev, Andre Whitelaw from EssentiallySports delved into his journey and the inspiration behind his decision to become a boxer. While India excels in a variety of sports, boxing has not historically been one of the country’s major sports. However, Dev has a clear mission—to change that by becoming India’s first world champion.
His path into boxing mirrors the experiences of many others, regardless of their origins. “When I was 8 years old, my uncle used to train, and he was a professional boxer back in Germany,” Dev shared. “He used to live in Germany and train and box for a club there.”
It was when Dev’s uncle returned to India that the young fighter was introduced to the sport. “He called me and made me learn some steps of boxing,” Dev recalled. The reason Dev decided to take up his uncle’s offer is rooted in an intriguing story. “My father used to give me a small phone so I could play some video games.”
“But instead [of] playing video games me and my brother used to [watch] professional fights [featuring the likes of] Manny Pacquiao, Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson” According to Dev, watching these legendary fighters was enough to ignite a passion inside him, eventually leading him to sign with Matchroom and make his debut tonight.
Meanwhile, Dev also seems to have a prediction for the rumored Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight.
Nishant Dev backs Terence Crawford over Canelo Alvarez
Recently, some reports suggested that a potential fight between Canelo and Crawford is in the final stages of becoming a reality. Naturally, fans and experts alike are dishing out predictions for the blockbuster bout, Nishant Dev also has an opinion on the matter. “In my opinion, both are really different boxers—how they play,” Dev told Whitelaw.
Even Crawford’s weight disadvantage doesn’t seem to bother Dev, who believes Crawford can overcome the weight difference. “Even though they are in different weight categories, I will go with Crawford,” he added. Elaborating on his prediction, Dev praised Crawford’s ring generalship, noting, “He [knows how to tie] opponents and break down with body punches. He shows the world that he’s the best.”
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