Boxer Waseem to leave for Panama tomorrow

KARACHI: Pakistan’s professional boxer and WBC two-time flyweight world silver champion Mohammad Waseem will leave for Panama on Tuesday (tomorrow).
“Yes I will go to Panama on Tuesday and will apply for Colombia’s visa,” Waseem told The News from Quetta on Sunday.Waseem will be trained in Colombia by former WBA light flyweight champion Beibis Mendoza.
Waseem is preparing for his world title fight which he is expected to play against Japan’s boxing sensation and WBC flyweight reigning champion Daigo Higa early next year in Japan.
Waseem’s promoter Andy Kim told The News the other day that effort would be made to arrange a couple of good fights for Waseem ahead of his title bout.Higa is too dangerous a fighter as the 22-year old is called knock-out artist, having played 14 bouts, winning them all through knock-outs.
After lifting bronze medal in 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Waseem turned pro in early 2015 by signing a deal with the AK Promotions. He shot to fame in pro circle within short time and it was in July 2016 that he became the first Pakistani to lift the WBC world silver flyweight title by beating Jether Oliva of the Philippines in Seoul. He then went on to defend it strongly by ousting dangerous Giemel Magramo of Philippines also in Seoul in November last year.
After a few months of lay-off due to financial issues Waseem went to Panama after Eid-ul-Fitr this year and received hectic training under Jeff Mayweather. He also won three bouts against the local fighters during his stay in Panama. Waseem has so far played eight bouts, winning all with six knock-out victories.