Waseem one of most hard working fighters: Jeff

KARACHI: Jeff Mayweather, coach of Pakistan’s professional boxer Mohammad Waseem, said on Monday that he was looking forward to help the boxer become the world champion.

“I am looking forward to help Waseem win his first world title,” Jeff told ‘The News’ from the United States. “But we must be prepared and ready for each and every fight so we can’t overlook anyone’s one fight at a time. I will have him ready to face anyone,” said Jeff, uncle of Mayweather Junior.

Waseem, two-time WBC silver flyweight world champion, will move to Panama on June 27 to play a couple of tune-up fights, on July 5 and July 29, against local boxers.

Jeff said that Waseem would be able to come in right shape after a long lay-off. “Waseem is one of the hardest working fighters in boxing and will be prepared to face anyone in the division. It has been a long lay-off but getting in shape is like riding a bike. Once you get started it’s easy; your body craves the hard work and your muscle memory kicks in before you know you are in great fight shape and ready to perform at the highest level,” Jeff said.

Waseem became the WBC flyweight world silver champion when he defeated Jether Oliva of the Philippines on July 17, 2016. He then outsmarted Giemel Magramo of the Philippines on November 27 to defend his title.

He had to wait for quite some time for state funding for his world title fight. It is expected that he will play either world title eliminator or world title bout in September or October this year. His promoter Andy Kim has arranged training for the pugilist in Panama under Jeff.