Waseem to face experienced Indonesian in third pro fight

KARACHI: Pakistan’s professional boxer Mohammad Waseem will face Indonesia’s experienced player John Bajwa on March 19 in Incheon, South Korea.

“I will meet Bajwa,” Waseem told ‘The News’ on Saturday.

For his third pro fight, Waseem recently underwent a month-long training at the Floyd Mayweather’s boxing club at Las Vegas in the United States.

“The training will help me. Bajwa is an experienced boxer but I am confident that I will beat him,” Waseem said.

Bajwa has so far played 23 bouts in his pro career, he lost 12 and won 11.

Quetta-born Waseem has so far won both the bouts of his career — which he played last year.

On October 4, 2015, the 27-year-old made a dream pro debut when he knocked out Korea’s Min Wook Lee in the ninth round to win the Korean Boxing Commission’s (KBC) title in Incheon.

He then knocked out Suparyanto Doglo of Indonesia in the third round to win his second successive pro bout at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok on December 5, 2015.

Waseem has been playing under the Korea-based AK Promotions being headed by Andy Kim.

Waseem turned pro early last year after having played for Pakistan for a decade during which he lifted several international medals including silver in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and bronze in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

On Saturday, Waseem visited Pakistan’s national boxing camp here at the PSB Coaching Centre.

“Waseem today did some sparring with the boxers,” Pakistan Boxing Federation’s (PBF) secretary Iqbal Hussain told ‘The News’.

“He is an inspiration for all of us. He has played superbly for Pakistan in his amateur career. We are proud of him,” Iqbal said.

“Waseem also gave some tips to our boxers which will help them in the Olympic qualifiers,” he added.

Waseem said he would immediately proceed to Korea after getting his visa. After Korea’s bout, Waseem is expected to feature in his next fight in May.