Waseem starts training in Quetta

KARACHI: Two-time World Boxing Council (WBC) world silver flyweight champion Mohammad Waseem has started training in Quetta for his next professional bout, under the supervision of his WAPDA coach Tariq Siddiqui.

“Yes, I have started hard training,” Waseem told ‘The News’ on Thursday.

“But here the problem is that there is no right place in the provincial capital where I could train peacefully. You know there are security issues. But despite all these difficulties I am trying my best,” Waseem said.

He said that he would fight soon after Eid-ul-Fitr against a couple of Columbian boxers to prepare for his fight against US’s Oscar Cantu which would most probably be held in Korea in September.

“My fights in Columbia are confirmed. I will apply for visa within a few days and plan to go there after Ramadan,” he said.

Waseem, who is world No2 at the WBC rankings, defended his world silver title on November 27 last year in Korea when he upstaged Giemel Magramo of the Philippines.

However, he had to wait long for his next bout because of sponsorship issue.

A few days ago he and his promoter Andy Kim got Rs24 million from Pakistan government that would enable Kim to arrange a fight for Waseem against Cantu in Korea.

If Waseem wins that fight against Cantu he will then fight for the world title.

Tariq, who coached Waseem when he was representing WAPDA before his pro career began in early 2015, was also present during Waseem’s fight against Magramo.

Waseem said that Tariq would also be there when he would compete in the world title’s eliminator against Cantu in Korea.

“Both Tariq and Jeff Mayweather will be in Korea with me when I fight against the US fighter,” Waseem said.