Neeraj Goyat


Neeraj Goyat is an Indian professional boxer He is the first Indian boxer to enter the world rankings, debuting at No. 35 in the welterweight division in November 2016 following his successful defense of the WBC Asia title. Goyat won the WBC Asia “Honorary Boxer of the Year” award in 2017 and is a three-time WBC Asia champion in the welterweight division.
He also won the “Most Promising Boxer” award at the Indian Youth Nationals in 2008. In June 2014, Goyat became the first fighter to defeat Chinese boxer Xu Can in China, winning via split decision over 4 rounds; Xu Can later became a former WBA featherweight world champion Goyat has faced notable opponents, including former world title challenger Jose Zepeda.
Neeraj suffered severe injuries in a car accident in June 2019, including to his head, face, and left arm, which forced him to withdraw from a scheduled fight against Amir Khan. He has since recovered and resumed competing.
In June 2024, Goyat appeared on the reality TV show, Bigg Boss OTT Season 3. However, he was eliminated from the show after just 5 days. On 15 November 2024, he defeated Whindersson Nunes on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson undercard.

Early life

Neeraj Goyat was born on 11 November 1991 in Begumpur village, Karnal district, Haryana, India. He completed his schooling up to the 9th standard at S. D. Model School in Yamunanagar, Haryana.
Inspired by the impressive physique, personality, fitness, and longevity of athletes, he initially engaged in athletics but switched to boxing after being inspired by the boxers training around him. In 2006, at age 14, he joined the Army Sports Institute in Pune as a cadet, where he began formal boxing training and completed his 10th standard education. He received excellent coaching there and learned from senior athletes.
In his amateur career:
•  He won a bronze medal at the Junior National Championships in 2007.
•  In 2008, he secured a gold medal at the Youth National Championships  and was awarded the “Most Promising Boxer” title in India that year.
•  He earned a bronze medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2008.
•  He participated in the Youth World Championships in Mexico the same year.
•  From 2009 onward, he won medals in various senior national events, including silver at the National Games in 2011 and silver at the Senior National Championships in 2012. He continued competing in national championships and international events through 2016, such as the World Military Games in Brazil and narrowly missing Olympic qualification with a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Qualifiers in Venezuela.

Professional career

Neeraj Goyat was the first Indian professional boxer who went to Venezuela for the Olympic qualifiers before the 2016 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal. He won the award of WBC Asia ‘Honorary Boxer of the Year’ 2017.
In June 2024, Goyat appeared as a contestant on the reality TV show Bigg Boss OTT Season 3, which premiered on June 21, 2024, hosted by Anil Kapoor and streamed on JioCinema. He was the first contestant eliminated on Day 5 following a mid-week eviction twist involving audience and housemate votes.
He also made a guest appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he joined business icons Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murthy, Deepinder Goyal, and Gia Goyal. During the episode, he provided light-hearted banter and shared stories, which led to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal later announcing sponsorship support for Goyat ahead of his November fight.
Additionally, Goyat served as a guest mentor on the fitness reality show Battleground on Amazon MX Player, taking charge of the UP Dabangs squad after replacing Asim Riaz, bringing his boxing discipline and intensity to the contestants alongside mentors like Rubina Dilaik, Abhishek Malhan, and Rajat Dalal.
On November 15, 2024, he defeated Brazilian YouTuber-turned-boxer Whindersson Nunes via unanimous decision in a six-round super middleweight bout on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, streamed on Netflix. This marked a notable win in his professional career.

Performance in pro boxing

  • 3x WBC Asian title holder
  • WBC Asian Champion 2015
  • WBC Asian Champion 2016
  • WBC Asian Champion 2017

Performance in amateur boxing

International level achievements

National level achievements

  • Junior National 2007 – Bronze
  • Youth National 2008 – Gold
  • All India Super Cup 2010 – Silver
  • All India AK Mishra 2010 – Gold
  • National Games 2011 – Silver
  • Senior National 2012 – Silver

Signing with Most Valuable Promotions

Goyat called out YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul to fight "a real boxer" on Instagram after Paul's victory over André August. The callout video received 25 million views, and Paul responded to the callout by replying, "Any time, any place." Paul was announced to fight on March 2, 2024, against an unannounced opponent, where fans speculated it might be Goyat. Ryan Bourland was announced as the unannounced opponent, and Goyat continued to call out Paul on social media, to which Paul responded by asking Goyat to come to Puerto Rico. During the build-up between Paul and Bourland, Goyat travelled his way to Puerto Rico, where he got into a physical altercation with Paul before being separated away. Goyat later signed a contract with Paul's boxing promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, becoming the first international fighter to sign to the promotion. After signing with Most Valuable Promotions, Goyat revealed that before signing the contract, Paul and MVP promised that Paul versus Goyat would happen in India, but after Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fought first.

Goyat vs. Nunes

On May 21, 2024, it was announced that Goyat would face Brazilian YouTuber and comedian Whindersson Nunes on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States, which is globally hosted on Netflix for July 20, 2024. However, due to personal health issues with Mike Tyson, the event was postponed and rescheduled for November 15, 2024. The fight was later announced to be in the super middleweight division and a six-round bout. During the press conference, Goyat predicted Mike Tyson would defeat Jake Paul, which led Paul to set up bets with Goyat and Bruce Carrington for $1 million each and Katie Taylor for her full fight purse. At the weigh-ins, Nunes weighed in at 164 lbs, and Goyat weighed in at 162 lbs. Nunes and Goyat showed respect during their face-off. Goyat defeated Nunes via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 59–55, 60–54 in favour of Goyat. After the bout, fans expressed their disgust with Goyat online for his unsportsmanship by dry-humping Nunes in the corner during the fight.

Goyat vs. Taylor

On November 16, 2025, it was announced that Goyat would face American social media influencer Slim Albaher on the Misfits Mania – The Fight Before Christmas undercard scheduled for December 20 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On December 5, Albaher withdrew from the bout following an injury sustained during training, and was replaced with American mixed martial artist Anthony Taylor. The bout will be recognized as MF–professional, meaning it will not be recorded on Goyat's official record.

Boxing record

Professional

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
25WinWhindersson NunesUD6Nov 15, 2024AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US
24Win18–4–2Phakorn AiemyodTKO2, 1:44May 17, 2023Sasakul Gym, Lam Luk Ka, Thailand
23Loss17–4–2Jose ZepedaUD10Mar 25, 2023El Domo del Code Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
22Win17–3–2Channarong InjampaTKO2, 2:19Jul 2, 2022Spaceplus Bangkok RCA, Bangkok, Thailand
21Win16–3–2Chayanon PhothijunTKO3, 1:35May 28, 2022Singmanassask Muay Thai School, Pathum Thai, Thailand
20Win15–3–2Parinwirat KankraiTKO2, 0:55May 14, 2022Singmanassask Muay Thai School, Pathum Thai, Thailand
19Win14–3–2Suresh PashamUD6Apr 10, 2022Manipal, India
18Win13–3–2Bebe Rico Tshibangu3 Oct 16, 2021La Perle, Dubai, UAE
17Win12–3–2Sandeep KumarKO4, 0:34Mar 19, 2021 Majestic Pride Ship, Panjim, India
16Win11–3–2Carlos Lopez MarmolejoUD6Apr 20, 2019Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, Canada
15Win10–3–2Ernesto Cardona SanchezUD4Sep 7, 2018Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Canada
14Loss9–3–2Sergio Daniel Moreno MartinezUD6Jun 30, 2018Arena San Juan de Pantitlan, Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico
13Win9–2–2Allan TanadaUD12Aug 5, 2017NSCI Stadium, Worli, Mumbai, IndiaDefended WBC Asian welterweight title
12Win8–2–2Ben KiteUD12Oct 15, 2016Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, IndiaDefended WBC Asian welterweight title
11Win7–2–2ModaKO5 Jan 5, 2016Hydro Gym & Boxing Club, Gurgaon, India
10Win6–2–2Dong Jun You2 Dec 12, 2015Team RSC Gym, Seoul, South Korea
9Win5–2–2AnandUD4Oct 31, 2015New Delhi, India
8Win4–2–2Ronnel EsparasUD6Oct 4, 2015Sunhak Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea
7Win3–2–2Nelson GulpeUD12May 30, 2015Select Citywalk Saket, New Delhi, IndiaWon vacant WBC Asian welterweight title
6Win2–2–2Can XuSD4Jun 7, 2014Expo Garden Hall, Kunming, China
5Win1–2–2Xian Qian WeiUD6Nov 30, 2013Maguan, China
4Loss0–2–2Chatri Charoensin6Sep 27, 2013 Chom Thong District Office, Bangkok, Thailand
3Draw0–1–2Xian Qian Wei6Jun 8, 2013Expo Garden Hotel, Kunming, China
2Draw0–1–1Phum Kunmat4Sep 5, 2012Bangkapi School, Bangkapi, Bangkok, Thailand
1Loss0–1Gou Wen Dong4Nov 19, 2011Expo Garden Hotel, Kunming, China

MF–Professional

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Win1–0Anthony Taylor6Dec 20, 2025Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai, UAE

Filmography

Television shows on boxing

Reality television

  • 2024 - Bigg Boss OTT 3 as a contestant - evicted on Day 5, finishing in 17th place.
  • 2025 - Battle Ground Amazon MX Player as a mentor for the UP Dabangs team.

Films