Boxer Waseem’s career at risk

KARACHI: Pakistan’s pro boxer and the World Boxing Council (WBC) world silver flyweight champion Mohammad Waseem’s professional career is at a higher risk, 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 has 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.

But because of the development sources said that the boxer is in deep trouble and may discontinue his short but illustrious career. 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 then went on to defend it in the same city in November last year after whacking Giemel Magramo of the Philippines.

He is also 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’s government released for him and his Korean promoter a sum of Rs24million.

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 left a question mark over the career of the fighter who is capable to win the world title.

Sources close to Waseem said that the contract of the boxer with Kim will expire next December. As 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.

Sources said that the fighter is also more eager to represent Pakistan in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.“He is very much interested. Almost 80 per cent he has made his mind to try his luck in Olympics which is his dream,” the source said.Waseem recently faced some criticism when he would talk about sponsorship issues.

And sources said that the boxer has really been hurt by the same 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 presently.A senior official of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) had also shown his desire a few months back that it would be a great step if Waseem is able to play for Pakistan in Olympics.

After lifting silver in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and bronze in the subsequent 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.