Pettis to Fight Goyat in India Boxing Match on Jan. 23
Anthony Pettis to fight Neeraj Goyat, India's top boxer, in a six-round bout on Jan. 23.
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Anthony Pettis will face Neeraj Goyat in a six-round super welterweight boxing match on Jan. 23, marking the former UFC lightweight champion's return to the ring against India's top professional boxer. The bout is presented by IPBL Boxing and sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council, with a host city still to be announced among Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.
Why Pettis Picked Goyat
Pettis made clear this matchup wasn't a default assignment, it was a specific target. "I have seen what Indian fighters can do, and Neeraj is the best of them," Pettis said. "That is who I want." Goyat enters with 27 professional fights on his boxing resume and a reputation as the standard-bearer for the sport in India, giving Pettis a credible litmus test rather than a showcase opponent.
There's also a family subplot. Pettis's younger brother, Sergio Pettis, boxed in India back in March 2025 and dropped a unanimous decision to Sabari Jaishankar. Anthony Pettis stepping into the same market against the country's top boxer reads like a chance to settle a family score on Indian soil, even if neither side has framed it that bluntly.
Pettis's Boxing Record So Far
Pettis is 1-1 as a professional boxer, and both results came against notable names. He scored a majority decision over Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4 in April 2023, then lost a decision to Chris Avila on the Diaz vs. Masvidal boxing card roughly a year later, which stands as his most recent combat sports appearance before this booking. That split record is exactly why oddsmakers and fans alike will treat this one as a genuine coin-flip rather than a tune-up.
Betting Angle
A six-round, 154-pound boxing match between a UFC legend working outside his natural sport and a durable, high-volume regional boxer is a tricky one to price. Pettis brings name value, pop and finishing instinct from a 31-fight MMA career, but boxing judges and a shorter distance change the calculus. Goyat has operated as a pure boxer his entire career and will have the volume and ring IQ edge if this goes the distance. Expect early markets to lean toward Pettis on brand recognition and raw power, but sharp bettors will want to see how either man has looked in recent sparring or ring time before committing, since neither fighter is coming off a win in his most recent outing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Anthony Pettis fighting Neeraj Goyat?
Anthony Pettis is scheduled to fight Neeraj Goyat on Jan. 23 in a six-round super welterweight boxing match presented by IPBL Boxing and sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council.
What is Anthony Pettis's record in boxing?
Anthony Pettis is 1-1 as a professional boxer, with a majority decision win over Roy Jones Jr. in April 2023 and a decision loss to Chris Avila in his most recent bout.
Who is Neeraj Goyat?
Neeraj Goyat is India's top professional boxer, with 27 professional fights on his record, and he is set to face former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis on Jan. 23.
