Elite and talent meet at the IBA Global Boxing Series 2026

Last weekend, Nexus Seawoods in Navi Mumbai, India, hosted a high-profile event confirming the collaboration between Marine Pro Boxing Promotions and the International Boxing Association to promote boxing in India.

A combination of elite international match-ups, emerging domestic talent and strong engagement from fans and the wider sporting community made for a prestigious evening featuring a varied fight card with boxers from around the world, as well as the next generation of Indian boxing prospects. India is one of the markets where the IBA has focused its attention, and the event in Navi Mumbai clearly demonstrated boxing's growing appeal.

Notable guests included six-time world champion Mary Kom and Harish Choudhary, who is closely linked to sporting initiatives. Prominent figures from the entertainment industry also attended, including Bollywood actor Pulkit Samrat, television actor Divyenndu and filmmaker Karan Anshuman, highlighting the growing cross-sector appeal of professional boxing in India.

"I am truly proud to be part of the Global Boxing Series, and it has been incredible to witness the talent and energy in the ring today. Events like these play a crucial role in motivating young athletes and bringing Indian boxing to the attention of the global community," said Kom, who won a bronze medal in thefly weight category at the London 2012 Olympic Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic boxing medal.

A highly influential figure in India, Kom has also served as a member of Parliament, and her inspiring life story has encouraged many athletes, particularly in the development of women's boxing in the country. This makes her presence at the gala a major highlight.

The fight card featured an engaging mix of international and domestic bouts. The main event, which saw Callum Dan (UK) take on Suresh Pasham (India), stood out as one of the night's key moments, generating a strong crowd response. Another notable contest saw Ashish Sethi (India) make his professional debut against Kalyan Kumar (India) in the super middleweight division.

The undercard showcased emerging Indian talent in the men's and women's divisions, including Gazal Maria, Maithreyi, Swetha V, Pavan Kalyan, Hashir, Ajay Sharma, Kunal Dutt, Rajkumar Wagh, Santosh Manickam, Vignesh Kumar and Rohit Raina. This underlined the depth and diversity of India's national boxing scene.

"India is a strategically key market for the global development of boxing, and the Global Boxing Series is designed to unlock that potential. What we have seen in Mumbai is not just a successful event, but a clear sign that there is both the talent and the audience to support a sustainable professional boxing ecosystem," said IBA CEO and Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE. He added that the organisation's goal is to create events that "connect both local fans and global audiences".

The event offered spectators an exciting experience, combining competitive bouts with high production standards and strong audience engagement. According to the IBA, this helped pave the way for boxing to achieve mainstream sporting status in India.

"Bringing the Global Boxing Series to India is a strategic step towards building a strong professional boxing culture and creating global opportunities for Indian athletes," concluded Devraj Das, founder and promoter of Marine Pro Boxing Promotions, who worked in close coordination with IBA President Umar Kremlev to give the event the necessary momentum.

The event in India marked the Global Boxing Series' debut in Asia, and organisers hope to establish a strong foundation for future events in the region, focusing on long-term growth and the global integration of the sport.