Neeraj Goyat Explained

Neeraj Goyat (born 11 November 1991) is an Indian boxer and mixed martial artist.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} He is the first Indian boxer to have made it to WBC world rankings. Goyat won the award of WBC Asia 'Honorary Boxer of the Year' in 2017.^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]} He became the first person to defeat Chinese boxer Xu Can in China in 2014,^{[12] [13]} who was a former Regular World Boxing Association world champion. Neeraj was in a car accident in 2019, but has recovered and competed since.^[14]

In June 2024, Goyat appeared on the reality TV show, Bigg Boss OTT Season 3.^[15] However, he was eliminated from the show after just 5 days.^[16] On November 15, 2024, he defeated Whindersson Nunes on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul undercard.

Early life

Goyat was born in Begumpur village in Karnal, Haryana. Neeraj Goyat did his schooling till 9th standard from the SD Model School in Haryana. He started boxing in 2006 in the Army Sports Institute and studied for 10th standard there. In the first senior national tournament held in 2017, he won the platinum medal. In the year 2014, Neeraj Goyat won the gold medal in the Youth National Tournament.

Neeraj got interested in boxing because the physique and the personality of sportsmen really appealed to him. He started with gymnastics, but then when he saw boxers training around him he was really impressed with their level of fitness and longevity and that's how he shifted to boxing he got selected in the Army sports institute^[17] in the year 2001, and he got very good training from the coaches there, learning a lot from the senior cyclists in the institute.

He aims at becoming the WBC World Champion and wants to follow the footsteps of his favorite boxer Mike Tyson who is also a former WBC World Champion.^[18]

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.^{[19] [20] [21]} He won the award of WBC Asia ‘Honorary Boxer of the Year’ 2017.^{[22] [23]}

Performance in pro boxing

• 3x WBC Asian title holder
• WBC Asian Champion 2015
• WBC Asian Champion 2016
• WBC Asian Champion 2017^[24]

Performance in amateur boxing

International level achievements

• Olympic Qualifiers Tournament 2016 Venezuela – Bronze Medal
• Youth Commonwealth Games 2008 – Bronze Medal
• Youth World Championship 2008 Mexico – Participation
• President Cup Indonesia 2011 – Participation
• World Military Games 2011 Brazil – Participation

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."^[25] Paul was announced to fight on March 2, 2024, against an unannounced opponent, where fans speculated it might be Goyat.^[26] 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.^[27] 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.^[28] Goyat later signed a contract with Paul's boxing promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, becoming the first international fighter to sign to the promotion.^[29] After signing with Most Valuable Promotions, Goyat revealed that before signing the contract, Paul and MVP (Most Valuable Promotions) promised that Paul versus Goyat would happen in India, but after Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fought first.^[30]

Goyat vs. Nunes

On May 21, 2024, it was announced that Goyat would face 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,^{[31] [32] [33]} which is globally hosted on Netflix for July 20, 2024.^[34] However, due to personal health issues with Mike Tyson, the event was postponed and rescheduled for November 15, 2024.^[35] The fight was later announced to be in the super middleweight division and a six-round bout.^[36] 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.^[37] At the weigh-ins, Nunes weighed in at 164 lbs (74 kg), and Goyat weighed in at 162 lbs (73 kg).^[38] Nunes and Goyat showed respect during their face-off.^[39] Goyat defeated Nunes via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 59–55, 60–54 (x2) in favour of Goyat.^{[40] [41]} After the bout, fans expressed their disgust with Goyat online for his unsportsmanship by dry-humping Nunes in the corner during the fight.^[42]

Professional boxing record

	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
25	Win	19–4–2	Whindersson Nunes	UD	6	Nov 15, 2024
24	Win	18–4–2	Phakorn Aiemyod	TKO	2 (8),	May 17, 2023
23	Loss	17–4–2	Jose Zepeda	UD	10	Mar 25, 2023
22	Win	17–3–2	Channarong Injampa	TKO	2 (6),	Jul 2, 2022
21	Win	16–3–2	Chayanon Phothijun	TKO	3 (6),	May 28, 2022
20	Win	15–3–2	Parinwirat Kankrai	TKO	2 (6),	May 14, 2022
19	Win	14–3–2	Suresh Pasham	UD	6	Apr 10, 2022
18	Win	13–3–2	Bebe Rico Tshibangu		3 (4)	Oct 16, 2021
17	Win	12–3–2	Sandeep Kumar	KO	4 (4),	Mar 19, 2021
16	Win	11–3–2	Carlos Lopez Marmolejo	UD	6	Apr 20, 2019
15	Win	10–3–2	Ernesto Cardona Sanchez	UD	4	Sep 7, 2018
14	Loss	9–3–2	Sergio Daniel Moreno Martinez	UD	6	Jun 30, 2018
13	Win	9–2–2	Allan Tanada	UD	12	Aug 5, 2017
12	Win	8–2–2	Ben Kite	UD	12	Oct 15, 2016
11	Win	7–2–2	Moda	KO	5 (6)	Jan 5, 2016
10	Win	6–2–2	Dong Jun You		2 (4)	Dec 12, 2015
9	Win	5–2–2	Anand	UD	4	Oct 31, 2015
8	Win	4–2–2	Ronnel Esparas	UD	6	Oct 4, 2015
7	Win	3–2–2	Nelson Gulpe	UD	12	May 30, 2015
6	Win	2–2–2	Can Xu	SD	4	Jun 7, 2014
5	Win	1–2–2	Xian Qian Wei	UD	6	Nov 30, 2013
4	Loss	0–2–2	Chatri Charoensin		6	Sep 27, 2013
3	Draw	0–1–2	Xian Qian Wei		6	Jun 8, 2013
2	Draw	0–1–1	Phum Kunmat		4	Sep 5, 2012
1	Loss	0–1	Gou Wen Dong		4	Nov 19, 2011

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|2–0|Mohammed Farhad|Decision (unanimous)|Super Fight League 30-31||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Mumbai, India||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Rahul Sonkamble|TKO (punches)|SFL Contenders 13||align=center|1|align=center|0:51|Nashik, India||-

Filmography

Television shows on boxing

• SFL Challengers - telecasted in August 2012 on Zoom (TV channel).
• 2013 in SFL numbered events.
• Captain of the team Haryana Warriors in Super Boxing League Season 1 - telecasted on Sony ESPN from 7 July to 12 August 2017.^[43]

Reality television

• 2024 - Bigg Boss OTT 3 as a contestant - evicted on Day 5, finishing in 17th place.^[44]

Films

• Neeraj Goyat made his Bollywood debut with Anurag Kashyap’s film Mukkabaaz.^[45]
• Ultimate Beastmaster - telecasted in December 2017 Via Netflix.
• Toofaan as a boxer^[46]
• Telugu movie RRR (film)^[47]
• Telugu movie Ghani (2022 film)^[48]

External links

• • https://boxranking.com/boxer/view/258175

Notes and References

1. Web site: Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat to defend WBC Asia title against Ben Kite. 5 September 2016.
2. News: Asia-Pacific champion Neeraj breaks into WBC rankings – Times of India. The Times of India . 24 November 2016 .
3. Web site: Five things you should know about Neeraj Goyat. 25 November 2016.
4. Web site: Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat to defend WBC title in October. 5 September 2016.
5. Web site: Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat retains WBC Asia welterweight title. 15 October 2016.
6. Web site: Rio 2016: Neeraj Goyat kept the Olympics hope after successful qualifiers - Xtratime . Xtratime.in . 2016-07-05 . 2017-04-08.
7. Web site: 2018-05-01. India's Neeraj Goyat is WBC Asia Boxer of the Year. 2021-05-14. Hindustan Times. en.
8. Web site: India's Neeraj Goyat conferred with WBC Asia Boxer of the Year Award . May 2018 .
9. Web site: Neeraj Goyat named honorary WBC Asia Boxer of the Year.
10. Web site: India's Neeraj Goyat is WBC Asia Boxer of the Year. May 2018.
11. News: Neeraj Goyat: India's Neeraj Goyat is WBC Asia Boxer of the Year | Boxing News - Times of India. The Times of India . May 2018 .
12. Web site: BoxRec: Can Xu. 2021-05-14. boxrec.com.
13. Web site: Esco. Wil. 2019-05-31. Amir Khan looks to rebound against Neeraj Goyat on July 12 in Saudi Arabia. 2021-05-14. Bad Left Hook. en.
14. Neeraj Goyat ruled out of Amir khan showdown after accident. Press Trust of India . 26 June 2019 . India Today. en. 2019-06-26.
15. News: Bigg Boss OTT 3: When and where to watch... . 22 June 2024 . Times Entertainment . Times of India/Bombay Times . Jun 21, 2024.
16. News: Bigg Boss OTT 3: Neeraj Goyat becomes the first contestant... . 27 June 2024 . etimes.in . Times Entertainment.
17. Web site: Army Sports India. 2021-05-14. www.armysportsinstitute.com.
18. Web site: Arjit Dabas . 2017 . Army Man-Turned-Boxer Neeraj Goyat Aims to be World Champion. 2017-10-22 .
19. Web site: Boxing: Neeraj Goyat loses in semis of qualifying but remains in fray for Olympics berth. 8 July 2016.
20. Web site: Boxer Neeraj Goyat moves closer to Rio Olympic berth. 5 July 2016.
21. News: Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat one win away from Olympic qualification. The Economic Times.
22. Web site: WBC एशियाई पुरस्कार से सम्मानित हुए मुक्केबाज नीरज गोयत. May 2018.
23. Web site: India's Neeraj Goyat is WBC Asia Boxer of the Year. May 2018.
24. Web site: Neeraj Goyat retains his WBC Asia Welterweight title after a win by unanimous decision . scroll.in . 2017-08-05 . 2017-08-05.
25. Web site: Benson . Michael . 30 Dec 2023 . Jake Paul in talks to fight boxer way lighter who was once set to face Amir Khan . 1 Nov 2024 . talkSPORT . en-gb.
26. Web site: Sinha . Sudeep . 30 Dec 2023 . Jake Paul Considers Indian Boxer's Callout Ahead of March 2 fight in Puerto Rico . 1 Nov 2024 . EssentiallySports . en.
27. Web site: Sinha . Sudeep . 26 Feb 2024 . Neeraj Goyat Reaches Puerto Rico to Fight Jake Paul Despite March 2 Event Getting Officially Announced . 1 Nov 2024 . EssentiallySports . en.
28. Web site: Radhyan . Chirag . 26 Feb 2024 . Jake Paul Gets Into Scuffle With Neeraj Goyat, Amanda Serrano Told to Stay Away Out of Respect . 1 Nov 2024 . EssentiallySports . en.
29. Web site: Raimondi . Marc . 1 Mar 2024 . India's Goyat first int'l signee for Jake Paul's MVP . 25 Oct 2024 . ESPN . en.
30. Web site: Mishra . Mrinal . 18 Mar 2024 . "If You're a Real Man…": While Waiting for Jake Paul, Neeraj Goyat Sends "Open Challenge" to KSI for Potential Fight . 1 Nov 2024 . EssentiallySports.
31. Web site: Hale . Andreas . 21 May 2024 . Neeraj Goyat-Whindersson Nunes on Jake Paul-Mike Tyson undercard . ESPN.
32. Web site: Release . Press . 21 May 2024 . Neeraj Goyat Added To Taylor-Serrano & Tyson-Paul Card . 25 Oct 2024 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
33. Web site: Glinski . George . 21 May 2024 . Bizarre fight added to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson undercard . 1 Nov 2024 . talkSPORT . en-gb.
34. Web site: Otterson . Joe . 7 Mar 2024 . Jake Paul to Fight Mike Tyson in Live Netflix Boxing Event . 25 Oct 2024 . Variety . en-US.
35. Web site: 2024-06-07 . Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson rescheduled for Nov. 15 . 2024-06-07 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
36. Web site: Eaton . Tom . 8 Nov 2024 . Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson; full card preview, rules, time and how to watch . 11 Nov 2024 . Boxing Social . en-US.
37. Web site: Ben Joseph . Joshua . 14 Nov 2024 . Neeraj Goyat, Katie Taylor & Bruce Carrington Place Bets on Mike Tyson's Victory . 14 Nov 2024 . Yardbarker . en.
38. Web site: Holland . Jesse . 14 Nov 2024 . Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson weigh ins video, LIVE stream results . 15 Nov 2024 . MMA Mania . en.
39. Web site: MMA Junkie . 15 Nov 2024 . UFC Legend Anderson Silva Appears as Interpreter at Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Weigh-ins . 15 Nov 2024 . YouTube.
40. Web site: 15 Nov 2024 . Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is up next: Live updates, results, highlights . 15 Nov 2024 . DAZN.
41. Web site: Mulvaney . Kieran . 15 Nov 2024 . Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos exchange knockdowns, fight to thrilling draw . 16 Nov 2024 . Boxing Scene . en-us.
42. Web site: Lohan . Rohit . 16 Nov 2024 . Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' Performance Marred by Neeraj Goyat as Boxing Fans Fixate on Unsportsmanlike Move . 16 Nov 2024 . EssentiallySports . en.
43. News: Neeraj Goyat: Professional boxers to seek Railways permission for Super Boxing League | Boxing News - Times of India. The Times of India . 17 July 2017 .
44. Web site: Who is Neeraj Goyat? Know all about Bigg Boss OTT 3 contestant. 21 June 2024 .
45. News: 'Not just another sports movie': Anurag Kashyap on 'Mukkabaaz'. The Hindu. 21 October 2017. Joshi. Namrata.
46. Web site: 2019-12-11. Farhan's 'Genuine' Prep For Toofan With Neeraj Goyat-Darrell Foster Makes Shibani Dandekar 'Sick' in Awe. 2021-05-14. India News, Breaking News India.com. en.
47. News: RRR Diaries: Ram Charan sweats it out with Indian pro boxer Neeraj Goyat - Times of India. 2022-01-17. The Times of India. 4 May 2020 . en.
48. Web site: Varun Tej jets off to Mumbai to train under professional boxer Neeraj Goyat for upcoming sports drama. 2022-01-17. www.zoomtventertainment.com. 19 January 2020 . en.