‘Cricket can Boost Pro boxing’

Indiarsquos professional boxer Neeraj Goyat was like a kid in a candy store at the recent World Boxing Council Convention in Uzbekistan where he represented the countryGoyat a threetime WBC Asia titlewinner was in August company with boxing legends like Mike Tyson Evander Holyfield Julio Cesar Chavez Olexander Usyk and Amir Khan also attending the eventAlso ReadIndian womenrsquos team lose to England againGoyat however came away with mixed reactions ldquoOn one hand while I was amazed to be surrounded by my heroes like Tyson and Holyfield On the other their ignorance towards professional boxing in India was a painful revelation Having been a professional boxer from India for a decade now it felt like a knockout punchrdquo Goyat 31 who turned professional in 2013 and has fought 22 bouts with a 173 winloss record including seven knockouts 1732 draws told midday over the phone from his home in Karnal HaryanaNeeraj Goyat with Mike Tyson and with Evander Holyfield right at the WBC Convention recentlyldquoI had a long chat with Holyfield and while he knew about a couple of my fights including the win over Chinarsquos WBA world champion Xu Can in 2014 he said he has never heard of professional boxing in India Tyson too wasnrsquot aware While Indiarsquos amateur boxers get all the attention during an Asian Games or Olympics our pro boxers remain anonymous This is sad and I discussed with them how we can change thisrdquo added Goyat the first Indian boxer to have made it to the WBC world rankings He was also named Honorary Boxer of the Year by WBC Asia in 2017Also ReadKashvee Gautam breaks bank at WPL auctionBollywood connectionldquoHolyfield told me that a good marketing strategy can help promote pro boxing in India He felt that just like in the USA where Hollywood plays an important role in marketing big sports events the Indian entertainment industry Bollywood could be an avenue to lift professional boxing back homerdquo added Goyat who also runs a promotional company and has organised pro fights in the past in Manipal University Chandigarh University Jaipur and Shimlarsquos Mall Road Besides Bollywood Goyat feels that pro boxing can also ride cricketrsquos popularity wave ldquoI believe Indian cricket is a very promising avenue topromote professional boxingInfluence of cricketersldquoCricket is played throughout the year and our superstar cricketers have a huge influence on the public If a cricketer enters the ring at a pro boxing event it will be very effectiverdquo said Goyat who is most keen on making a strong push to give back to the sport that has given him so muchldquoMost pro boxers in India give up within a year or so as they cannot sustain its financial demands A professional boxer incurs a lot of expenses like international coaches training facilities travelling costs and of course the best diet Itrsquos high time pro boxing becomes a career in India There is no shortage of a talent There are some brilliant raw boxers in our villages in Haryana Punjab and even in the north east of India If they can be assured an income and career stability Irsquom sure we can pack a collective punchrdquo Goyat signed off