Although Pakistan's premier professional boxer Mohammad Waseem lost his IBF world title fight against England's Sunny Edwards at the Irish Village at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Centre on March 19, he won the hearts of his followers and fans around the world.

"You are our hero whether you lose or win," a fan tweeted after his shock loss.

He fought like a true champion. While Edwards kept running around the ring, only getting points on counter-attacks, it was Waseem, who dominated the proceedings right from the start until the final whistle. He stood like a rock, exhibited fine potential and told the entire world that he deserved the world title. Waseem also is a WBA No 1 fighter.

In the start of the fight on the chilly night the outspoken Edwards tried to pressurise Waseem but when he knew that the experienced Pakistani fighter was dangerous, he opted to play defensively. When the fight finished Waseem was the first to climb on the ring to celebrate his expected victory and Edwards followed him to do the same.

However, Waseem was shocked when it was announced that Edwards defended his crown. This was the second time Waseem faced this situation. A few years ago he had dominated the world title fight against South Africa's Moruti Mthalane in Malaysia but lost eventually in a controversial way. Waseem blamed the referee for his defeat against Edwards.

Waseem told me after the fight that the referee was very "rude" when he came to the "dressing room" and then worked against him during the fight by issuing him warnings when he was playing very clean boxing. During the entire course it was Waseem who dominated the game. He faced points deduction in a couple of rounds for what the referee felt was rough tackling.

But the defeat has not shaken his resolve. He is very much determined. "I will come stronger now," Waseem said. A day before the fight I found Waseem mostly silent and focused and Sunny outspoken and over-confident. It was, indeed, a big fight as the beautiful environment of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Centre was reverberating with the clash between Waseem and Edwards.

I talked to a few former boxers of global repute and they rated both Waseem and Edwards as "great" fighters. They said before the fight that anyone could win the fight.

Edwards had won the title for the first time in April 2021 when he defeated Moruti Mthalane of South Africa. He then defended it by beating Jayson Mama of the Philippines in December.

The win could have changed the entire course of life for Waseem as it could have brought for him more money and big status. But the same title is waiting for him next time. He is currently WBA No1 and can fight a world title fight anytime soon. And Waseem says he plans to fight for the world title after Ramadan.

"Yes, I can contest in the world title bout. After Ramadan we will see," Waseem said.

Personally I am more than convinced that one day Waseem will bring a world title to Pakistan as he has the ability and guts to do so.

During the fight night, brought to the world's fans by Probellum Evolution, I witnessed a handful of big fights but the way Waseem played was fantastic. Luck did not favour the Pakistani fighter who served the country in amateur boxing for ten years.

Before the fight Edwards said that as he had beaten Moruti Mthalane who had beaten Waseem his fight with Waseem would not be that close. However, it turned out to be entirely a different story.

The fight lasted until the last second and Edwards won eventually when it seemed that he would not be able to defend the crown as Waseem played extremely well in the entire fight. Before the fight Edwards' statements lacked respect for Waseem but when he found that Waseem was a very good boxer he showed more respect.

Both were also seen posing for joint photographs after the fight. And Waseem also told me that Edwards is a "fine boy".

It was a super fight night, which reflected sportsmen spirit and was great entertainment for the boxing fans around the world. Waseem's Sharjah-based Pushtoon friends also witnessed the fight. They were seen shouting and encouraging him. It was indeed a charged environment with the platinum zone thickly covered by the crowd.

This was the second loss for Waseem in 14 fights and 18th straight win for Edwards, whose elder brother Charlie is also a former WBC flyweight champion. Charlie has also now joined Probellum.

Waseem can still play for a few years and is expected to earn laurels for the country. His coach Danny Vaughan told me that he can play for "three" more years.

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