Waseem plans professional event in Quetta

LAHORE: Pakistan’s professional boxer and three-time WBC world silver flyweight champion Mohammad Waseem plans to hold an international professional boxing event in Quetta early next year.

This correspondent has learnt that Waseem has started contacting top authorities in Balochistan in order to pave way for managing the event. If it happens then it will be the first such event in Balochistan.

When approached Waseem confirmed his intention to go for managing such an event. “Yes I plan so,” Waseem told ‘The News’ on Thursday.

“I will engage top authorities in Balochistan as without them holding the event is not possible. I have already worked on the project and am going to build on efforts in future also to ensure the event which will be the first such event in Balochistan,” Waseem said. He said that it will be a ranking event.

“No, there will be no world title fight in the fight night and all ten to 12 fights will be ranking fights. And my fight will be the main one. Once we do it then in future I will plan to bring my world title fight here also,” said Waseem, also a former WBC No1.

Waseem said that he has already talked to a few top boxers in various countries. “I have already approached solid boxers in different countries and they are also happy to come to Pakistan. Once we manage the things then I am hopeful some good boxers will come to make the event successful,” said Waseem, also a former Asian Games bronze medallist.

“Some top people will be engaged in the enterprise and some major companies will also be approached to ensure their input. Quetta is the nursery of boxing in Pakistan. It has top facilities where we can manage the fight night,” Waseem said.

He said that they would finalise dates in such a time period which could ensure that the event would be a smooth sail.

“There is a need of true professional boxing events in Pakistan. It will help attract the boys towards the sport. I hope top state authorities and institutions will support the cause and corporate sector will also come forward,” said Waseem, who also has to his credit silver and a bronze in the Commonwealth Games.

About his fitness, Waseem said that he is working hard and has brought himself into a top shape. “Yes, I am consistently in training and am in top shape,” said Waseem who last played a world title fight against England’s Sunny Edwards in March in Dubai which the Quetta-born fighter lost despite the fact that he had dominated the show thoroughly.

Starting his pro career in October 2015, Waseem has so far played 14 fights and has lost just two, winning 12 with eight knockouts. Besides the fight he lost to Sunny Edwards Waseem was defeated controversially in another world title show by South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane in Kuala Lumpur in July 2018.