Following in the footsteps of Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh, World Championship bronze medallist boxer Nishant Dev has switched to professional boxing, bidding adieu to his amateur career, during which he featured in last year’s Paris Olympics.
One of the most consistent Indian boxers in recent times, the former national champion has signed with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and will make his professional debut at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on January 25. His opponent is yet to be announced.
The event is headlined by a super middleweight bout between Steve Nelson and Diego Pacheco.
“I’m very excited to be joining Matchroom Boxing and beginning my professional career in Las Vegas on January 25th,” Dev wrote on his social media handle.
“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.”
The two-time national champion is being trained by former professional boxer Ronald Simms.
“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,” he said.
The 24-year-old Dev, who won the light middleweight bronze at the 2023 World Championships, narrowly missed a medal at the Paris Olympics after a contentious quarterfinal loss to Mexico’s Marco Verde.
Reflecting on his amateur journey, Dev said: “I enjoyed my time as an amateur boxer and competed at the very highest level in the Olympics and won 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 25th!” he added.