He was the first Indian Wrestler who was invited by the American Wrestling body for a special fight in Madison Square. He was one of the top choices among the invited wrestlers by the American Governing body. The young talent of India is only 25 years old that holds the spot of World No. 1 title in the category of 65 kg Freestyle Wrestling. In his earlier nine International tournaments among them he has won eight gold medals and it also including 2018’s Commonwealth and Asian Games on his cap of winning streak. He is also the only gold medal winner of India in the recently concluded Asian Games in Wrestling Championships, in the category of 65 kg men’s freestyle wrestling.

Yogeshwar Dutt the mentor of Punia also won the 60 kg bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and he praised his achievement of invitation as an opportunity to showcase his skills and represent the country at different stages as well. The other top attractions of the event were American wrestler Kyle Snyder, who won the 97 kg title at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and Jordan Burroughs, the 2012 London Olympics gold winner among the invites list of American Governing bodies.

The Madison Square Garden witnessed two legendary fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, including the famous "Fight of the Century" in 1971. Other memorable boxing bouts at the venue include Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis (1951), Mike Tyson vs. Mitch Green (1986), and few others as well. He is an Arjuna Award winner in the year 2015, and a Padma Shri Awardees in the year 2019. He is also playing the local Indian league namely ‘Pro Wrestling League’.