Hyderabad, 6 November: Neeraj Goyat and former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis came face to face for the first time since their fight was announced, at a press conference in Hyderabad ahead of the Goyat vs Pettis boxing bout on 23 January 2027. Jake Paul then made a surprise video appearance to back Chennai as the host city.
The press conference was hosted by the Indian Pro Boxing League (IPBL) with the Indian Boxing Council (IBC) and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Organisers describe the card as the biggest professional boxing event ever staged in India. The fight was announced last month.
Jake Paul makes his case for Chennai
In a message played on the arena screens, Paul, co-founder of MVP, said: “We at MVP are always chasing historic opportunities, and bringing this to Chennai is something I’m keen on. We’ve done our research: around this date, 47 years ago, Muhammad Ali fought in that same venue. This would be the biggest comeback for Indian boxing in 47 years.”
According to the organisers, Ali boxed an exhibition at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in January 1980, the last time a fighter of global stature stepped into a ring in the city. Goyat vs Pettis would be the first world-class professional boxing card in Chennai since.
IPBL confirmed that Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Chennai are all in contention. The host city, venue, ticketing and broadcast details will be announced together in the coming weeks.
“Jake’s message tells you how seriously the world is taking this fight,” said Akshar Madhavaram, chief executive and co-founder of IPBL. “Chennai has the history, and all three cities have made a strong case. We will announce the city soon. What is certain is the date, 23 January 2027, and that India has never seen a boxing night like this one.”
Goyat and Pettis trade words
Goyat is the first Indian boxer signed to MVP. “Last time the world watched me from Texas. This time my people watch me at home,” he said. “I respect Anthony, he is a legend of the cage, but this is a boxing ring, and in a boxing ring in India, nobody beats me.”
Pettis, who is also a co-owner of IPBL, said: “I’m not here as a visitor, I’m an owner in this league. India has the fans and the fighters; it hasn’t had the platform. Neeraj has earned this, but I’ve fought world champions for fifteen years. On 23 January he finds out what that means.”
Sanctioning and what comes next
Vivek of the Indian Boxing Council said every bout on the card is IBC-sanctioned to the WBC standard. “Professional boxing in India has lacked a stage and a structure; this event gives it both,” he said. “We have fighters on this undercard who can be world champions within two years.”
The two fighters are due to face off again inside the cage at the Indian Fight League event in Hyderabad on Friday night, and for a second time on 14 November at the PFL event in Dubai. The full fight card, broadcast partners and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks.
The IPBL describes itself as India’s first franchise-based professional boxing league, sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council, and is staging its “Road to IPBL” series ahead of its inaugural season in 2027. More boxing news on Indian Sports News.
