Neeraj Goyat to Face Former UFC Champion Anthony Pettis in January
Indian boxing star Neeraj Goyat will take on former UFC champion Anthony Pettis in a historic six-round bout in India in January 2027.
In what is being hailed as the biggest card in the history of Indian boxing, Indian professional boxing star Neeraj Goyat is set to face former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight world champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. The high-stakes six-round super welterweight bout, contested at 154 lbs, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 23, 2027.
Presented by IPBL Boxing and sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council, this monumental event marks a turning point for combat sports in the country. While the exact venue is yet to be confirmed, cities including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai are currently in contention to host the spectacle. The official location is expected to be announced in November.
A Clash of Titans
The matchup brings together two fighters with significant international pedigrees. Neeraj Goyat, the 34-year-old sensation from Haryana, enters the ring with a professional record of 21 wins, four losses, and two draws, including nine knockouts. A former WBC Asia champion, Goyat was the first Indian boxer to be ranked by the World Boxing Council. He recently made waves on the global stage by signing with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the organization founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, and notably defeated Brazil's Whindersson Nunes in a high-profile bout watched by millions on Netflix.
Anthony Pettis, the Milwaukee native, brings a wealth of championship experience to the ring. With a record of 25 wins and 14 losses, including 11 knockouts, Pettis is a former WEC Lightweight title holder and a former UFC Lightweight World Champion. For Pettis, the fight is more than just a professional contest; it is a personal mission. Following his brother Sergio Pettis's recent loss in Hyderabad, Anthony is returning to India to "settle the score."
"I Am Not Giving That Night Away"
For Goyat, the opportunity to fight a name of Pettis's stature on home soil is the culmination of a decade-long journey. “I have fought in China, in Thailand, in America and in the UK, and every time I was the Indian on somebody else's card. This time the card is ours,” Goyat stated. “I have waited my whole career to fight a name like this in front of my own people. I am not giving that night away.”
Pettis echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the caliber of Indian talent. “I have seen what Indian fighters can do, and Neeraj is the best of them. That is who I want. This one is for [Sergio], and I am coming to win,” Pettis said.
A Historic Night for Indian Boxing
The event promises to be a showcase of domestic talent alongside the international headliners. The card features several of India's top-ranked boxers, including:
- Akshay Chahal (Rohtak)
- Faizan Anwar (Kolkata)
- Pavan Kalyan (Hyderabad)
- Ritesh Singh (Dehradun)
- Laldinsanga Ramlawt (Mizoram)
The promotion is backed by industry heavyweights, including IPBL co-founder and actor Rana Daggubati. Reflecting on the significance of the event, Daggubati noted, “Every big sport in this country started with one night that people still talk about years later. This can be that night for boxing. A world champion and India's best fighter, in front of an Indian crowd. We have never had that before.”