Neeraj Goyat, the trailblazing face of Indian professional boxing, spearheaded a landmark moment this week as the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) launched India Knockout Nights (IKN)-a groundbreaking pro boxing league aimed at delivering the visibility, organization, and career boosts that Indian fighters have craved for years.
The event rallied athletes, enthusiasts, and key figures from India's expanding combat sports scene, all rallying around a common vision: elevating homegrown boxing talent to centre stage.
Goyat, celebrated for putting India on the map in international bouts, is now paving the way for emerging stars in this new venture. He shared the stage with pro boxer Nishant Dev and MMA sensation Anshul Jubli, underscoring the tight-knit
bonds within the nation's combat sports world.
A Platform Built for Fighters
IKN has been conceptualised as a structured, multi-city professional boxing league that will host regular fight nights featuring Indian talent across weight categories and divisions. The aim is clear; to move Indian boxing from sporadic opportunities to a sustained professional ecosystem. Season 1 of India Knockout Nights will stream on YouTube via Neeraj Goyat's official channel, helping bring Indian fighters directly to fans across the country and beyond
Neeraj Goyat Speaks
Neeraj Goyat said: "I've lived the journey of an Indian professional boxer; seen the struggles, the uncertainty, the lack of platforms. India Knockout Nights is something I deeply believe in because it gives fighters a fair shot. This is about building a platform where talent doesn't get lost. "
Manisha Malhotra, President, Inspire Institute of Sport, said: "IIS was built on a simple belief - Indian athletes, when given world-class support, can compete with the very best in the world. Our work has always gone beyond training; we focus on building complete athlete ecosystems with access to coaching, sports science, recovery, mentorship, and international exposure. Over the years, we've invested deeply in nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels. But for a sport to truly grow, athletes also need structured, high-quality competitive platforms. India Knockout Nights is a natural extension of our philosophy; it creates visibility, consistency, and a professional pathway for boxers. We meet young athletes every day who have immense hunger but limited opportunities. When they see a credible future in the sport, their commitment rises to another level. If we want champions tomorrow, we have to build strong systems today. This platform is a step toward that larger vision for Indian boxing. "
