Hyderabad, November 6: 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 on Friday. The bout is scheduled for 23 January 2027 and is being billed as the biggest professional boxing event ever staged in India.
The event was hosted by the Indian Pro Boxing League (IPBL) with the Indian Boxing Council (IBC) and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). It was interrupted by a surprise video message from MVP co-founder Jake Paul, who said he wanted the fight in Chennai.
Paul makes his pitch for Chennai
“We at MVP are always chasing historic opportunities, and bringing this to Chennai is something I’m keen on,” Paul said in the message, which was played on the arena screens. “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.”
Ali boxed an exhibition at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in January 1980, according to the organisers. Goyat vs Pettis would be the first world-class professional boxing card in the city since.
IPBL confirmed that Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Chennai remain in contention. The host city, venue, ticketing and broadcast details will be announced together in the coming weeks. “Chennai has the history, and all three cities have made a strong case,” said Akshar Madhavaram, CEO and co-founder of IPBL. “What is certain is the date, 23 January 2027.”
Goyat and Pettis trade words
Goyat, the first Indian boxer signed to MVP, won on the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson card, which was streamed on Netflix. “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.”
Vivek of the Indian Boxing Council said every bout on the card would be IBC-sanctioned to World Boxing Council standards. “Professional boxing in India has lacked a stage and a structure; this event gives it both,” he said.
What happens next
The two fighters were due to meet again inside the cage at the Indian Fight League event in Hyderabad on Friday night, and for a second time at the PFL event in Dubai on 14 November. The full fight card, broadcast partners and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks.
The fight was first announced last month; read how Goyat will take on Pettis in India on 23 January.
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