Waseem’s career may come to a halt for lack of money

KARACHI: The professional career of Mohammad Waseem, the World Boxing Council (WBC) world silver flyweight champion, is in danger because of lack of finances, ‘The News’ has reliably learnt through sources close to the boxer.

Andy Kim, the promoter of the boxer, is facing financial crunch and the training stint which had been arranged for the Quetta-born pugilist in Colombia seems to have been dropped.Waseem had to undergo training in Colombia to prepare for the world title bout which he was expected to play against the reigning world champion Daigo Higa of Japan in February next year.

Sources said that the boxer is in deep trouble and his illustrious career may come to a halt. Last year in July he became the first Pakistani fighter to clinch the WBC world silver flyweight title by beating Jether Oliva of the Philippines in Seoul. He defended it in the same city in November last year by whacking Giemel Magramo of the Philippines.

He is the first boxer of the world to have clinched the WBC silver world title in his fourth pro fight.Currently he is WBC No1. After defending his world title in November last year he had to stay out of the ring for seven to eight months till Pakistan government released a sum of Rs24 million for him and his Korean promoter.

But the current financial situation of Kim and his stance that he is not able to bear the expenses of foreign training of the Pakistani boxer has endangered the career of the fighter who is capable of winning the world title.

Sources close to Waseem said that the contract of the boxer with Kim will expire next December. It is certain that without any sponsorship Waseem will not be able to continue his pro career which needs hefty funds if one is to fight for world titles.

The sources said that the fighter is also eager to represent Pakistan in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.“He is very much interested. He has made his mind to try his luck in Olympics,” the source said.

Waseem recently faced some criticism when he talked about sponsorship issues. The sources said that the boxer has been hurt by the onslaught from his critics.However, the source said that professionally he is very tough and would handle the tough situation he has been caught in.

A senior official of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) said a few months back that it would be great if Waseem was able to play for Pakistan in the Olympics.After winning silver in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and bronze in the Incheon Asian Games 2014 Waseem wanted to represent Pakistan in 2016 Rio Olympics. But nobody backed his training which forced him to turn pro in early 2015 by entering into an agreement with Kim’s AK Promotions.