Exclusive! Pulkit Samrat's Glory trainer opens up about actor's professional boxing match: 'I tried to persuade him not to do it'

Pulkit Samrat with his trainer Drew Neal (Pic/Instagram)

Pulkit Samrat is gearing up for the release of his upcoming series, Glory, where he plays a boxer. As an actor playing a boxer on screen, it certainly wasn't an easy task. But Pulkit did not just stop at a few punches on the screen. The actor participated in a live boxing match with professional boxer Neeraj Goyat at the trailer launch. His trainer, Drew Neal, tells midday how they prepared for the transformation.

Pulkit Samrat trained for nine months for Glory

Talking about training Pulkit in boxing, Drew reveals, "He was a complete novice when we met. So, I had to teach him everything, right from the footwork to the punches to actually sparring. So, prior to shooting, we trained together for around nine months before we actually started shooting. And, of course, during the shoot and even to today, we're continuing with his training."

The trainer added that he did not want Pulkit to act in the series. He shared, "Yes, he's an actor, and he's learning how to box, but I didn't want him to act as a boxer. I wanted him to actually become a boxer. So the movements would have to feel fluid. His mentality would be that of a boxer and not someone trying to play a part. Boxing is all-consuming, both physically and mentally. And Pulkit had to become that person, that character. I didn't want him to act."

Pulkit Samrat's trainer had concerns about the professional boxing match

Drew further spills the beans about the boxing match with Neeraj Goyat, sharing that he initially had concerns about Pulkit stepping into the ring with a professional boxer. However, Pulkit's excitement and conviction gave him confidence.

He said, "Knowing Pulkit and, obviously, working with him for a period of time, he's the kind of person that once he's set his mind on something, he's going to get it done. So, I was confident with Pulkit, just purely because of all the other experiences that I've had with him. He trains hard. He is mentally focused. So, although I wouldn't really have recommended going in for the fight, I knew him as a person."

He adds, "And I knew that there wouldn't be any talking him down. So, I might as well have just got on board and supported him the best I could and got him ready for it. And, yeah, once we did that, the more that he sparred with me, I could tell he was growing in confidence, which, of course, filled me with confidence that he was going to be able to pull it off."

When asked if he was consulted before the match was finalised, Drew shares, "Yes, a couple of weeks before the actual fight went ahead, Pulkit had called me and told me that he had some really exciting news. When he actually told me what he had planned, I had concerns, honestly, at the beginning. To go against a professional boxer, even if you've got years of experience, is always going to be a risk. Anyone who gets into the ring commands my respect, and it takes a lot of courage. So, for Pulkit, who has never stepped into a ring other than for a shoot, it was a little worrying for me."

"And, honestly, I tried to persuade him not to do it. But as soon as Pulkit told me how he felt about it, I could see how excited he was and obviously how keen he was to do it. Then I had to put those fears to bed, and we had work to do. I worked with him a lot and extensively on his fighting. Not only on how to defend, but also how to punch. Not only not getting hit, but hitting the other person, which doesn't come naturally to everybody and certainly didn't come naturally to Pulkit," he added.