Exclusive: Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat wants to join WWE, speaks on Jake Paul controversy & more

The Indian pro-boxer fought on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson event

In an exclusive sit-down with Khel Now, Indian boxing star Neeraj Goyat opened up on his roots, his viral rivalry with Jake Paul, and his ambition to take his talents beyond the boxing ring.

Neeraj grew up in Yamunanagar, a part of Haryana not widely known for sports. As the smallest boy in class, he often felt overlooked. That sparked a desire to get stronger.

“I didn’t even know bodybuilding from sports back then,” he recalled. “I thought every athlete was strong. So I started with athletics, moved to basketball, and finally chose boxing.”

His big break came when he earned a place at the Army Sports Institute in Pune. Training alongside national champions made him realize he could chase greatness, too. Step by step, the boy from a city without a sporting culture became India’s most recognized professional boxer.

Jake Paul Beef

Goyat’s name truly hit the mainstream in 2023. After a razor-thin contest against Jose Zepeda in Mexico, he began building his online presence. Posting reels, sharing fight clips, and even a track with a friend caught the attention of fans.

Then came the turning point: a challenge to Jake Paul. “I had tweeted once that I was ready for Logan or Jake Paul. It didn’t get much response. But when we made a video, Jake replied with abuse. I answered back, and from there it exploded.”

Neeraj even flew to Puerto Rico, visiting Paul’s gym during fight week. The back-and-forth made headlines, and soon his fight was linked to the Netflix card headlined by Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson. Though that matchup was postponed, the exposure made Goyat a household name.

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Representing India on a Historic Card

In 2024, Neeraj fought under the Paul vs Tyson banner. He admitted the pressure was enormous, as he carried the Indian flag onto one of the sport’s biggest stages.

“Half the people didn’t even know my background, but they were suddenly following me,” he said. “I was proud to represent my country on such a global platform.”

Now, Goyat has bigger dreams. He wants to write his story in a book, continue his push for Indian boxing, and even step into the world of sports entertainment. “Working with WWE one day would be amazing,” he admitted with a grin.

WWE on the horizon

When asked if WWE has ever reached out, Goyat didn’t hesitate. “If I get a chance, I’ll definitely go,” he said.

He added that despite his rising fame, many people are still unaware of his full background. “Half of the people don’t even know my story. I’m a kickboxer, an all-round fighter,” he explained.

For Neeraj, the idea of stepping into sports entertainment represents a new frontier, blending athleticism with showmanship, a natural extension of the persona he has built both inside and outside the ring.

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