How Nishant Dev Became a Key Name in Indian Boxing

Nishant Dev is making his mark in the professional boxing world and here is a look back at his amateur run.

Born on December 23, 2000, in Karnal, Haryana, Nishant Dev began boxing in 2012, inspired by his uncle, a professional pugilist. Under the mentorship of coach Surender Chauhan at Karan Stadium and with the constant support of his father, Nishant trained twice daily, laying the foundation for a remarkable boxing career.

Nishant Dev’s major breakthrough came in 2019 when he represented Karnataka at the Senior National Championships. Though he exited in the quarter-finals, his fearless performance earned him a call-up to the Indian national camp by Santiago Nieva. That same year, he clinched gold at the Khelo India Youth Games.

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In 2021, Nishant Dev rose to prominence by winning the National Championships and earning a spot at the AIBA World Boxing Championships—his international debut. He stunned the world by defeating top opponents like Hungary’s Laszlo Kozak and Mauritius' Merven Clair, eventually finishing in the quarter-finals.

Injuries in 2022 temporarily halted his momentum, but Nishant made a strong comeback in 2023. He defended his national title and won bronze at the World Championships in Tashkent. His run included four dominant victories before bowing out to eventual champion Aslanbek Shymbergenov of Kazakhstan.

Nishant also made the quarter-finals of the 2023 Asian Games and qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics through the second qualifier in Thailand. In Paris, he beat PanAm silver medallist Jose Rodríguez Tenorio before losing narrowly in the quarters to familiar rival Marco Alvarez Verde.

Today, Nishant Dev stands as India’s top southpaw in the 71kg category, having proven himself on the biggest amateur stages. A fan of Floyd Mayweather, Nishant has also ventured into the professional boxing scene, marking the next chapter in a stellar career.