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 Alonso Verde Alvarez.
Now, Dev is ready to embark 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 moment, Dev spoke exclusively with EssentiallySports, sharing how icons like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Manny Pacquiao inspired his journey.
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 attractions. 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.”
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