Indian boxer Nishant Dev made a remarkable entry into professional boxing, earning a unanimous decision victory against Alton Wiggins in a four-round bout.

The match was part of the Diego Pacheco vs. Steve Nelson undercard at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, on January 25.

The 24-year-old, who signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, displayed composure and skill that underlined his readiness for the professional arena. Nishant is being trained by former professional boxer Ronald Simms and has set his sights on becoming India’s first world professional boxing champion.

Nishant rose to prominence during the 2024 Paris Olympics, delivering an inspiring run to the quarterfinals before narrowly losing to Mexico’s Marco Verde.

Reflecting on his decision to turn professional, Nishant said, “I enjoyed my time as an amateur boxer, competing at the highest level in the Olympics and winning a World Championship medal. But now, I’m ready for this new chapter.”

Nishant’s victory marks the beginning of what he hopes will be a groundbreaking journey. “My goal is to become India’s first-ever world professional boxing champion. I know I have a whole nation behind me to help me achieve this,” he said.

With his sights firmly set on world titles, Nishant’s professional debut has set the tone for an exciting chapter in Indian boxing, one that could inspire a new generation of pugilists.