Eddie Hearn announces ‘game changer’ signing of Olympian Nishant Dev

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing have announced the signing of 2024 Olympian Nishant Dev.

Dev, a 24-year-old from India, claimed bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but he lost in the quarterfinals of the Paris Games to Mexico’s Marco Verde.

Victory over Verde would have won Dev at least a bronze, but he lost a majority decision.

Now, however, Dev is set to spearhead Hearn’s attempts to grow the sport in another new territory. 

“Boom! This could be a game-changer,” Hearn posted with an announcement of the signing on social media. “Welcome to the team Amateur standout and 2024 Olympian Nishant Dev.”

Dev will make his debut at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on January 25 on the bill topped by the super middleweight clash between Steve Nelson and Diego Pacheco, and featuring the next bouts of lightweight Andy Cruz and junior welterweight Ernesto Mercado, who will meet Omar Salcido Gamez and Jose Pedraza, respectively.

Dev is being managed by Ireland’s influential Brian Peters, who has added to a roster that already includes Katie Taylor, Raymond Ford, Teremoana Jnr, Beatriz Ferreria and Sandy Ryan.

Peters believes Dev, who is being trained by former pro Ronald Simms in Las Vegas, could become India’s first boxing superstar.

“I’m very excited to be joining Matchroom and beginning my professional career in Las Vegas on January 25,” Dev said.

“My goal is to become India’s first-ever world professional boxing champion, and I know I have a whole nation behind me to help me achieve this.

“I’m working hard every day with my trainer Ronald Simms. I know I have the right team behind me and the biggest promoter in the world to ensure that I reach the very top in the sport.

“I enjoyed my time as an amateur boxer and competed at the very highest level in the Olympics and [won] a World Championship medal, but now I’m ready for this new chapter in my career. The journey to the world championship starts in Las Vegas on January 25.”