Boxer Muhammad Waseem takes on Lopez today in Dubai

LAHORE: Pakistan’s professional boxer Muhammad Waseem is all set to take on Mexico’s Ganigan Lopez on Friday (today) at Caesars Palace, Dubai.

Waseem, 32, has so far appeared in 10 fights in his pro career, winning all but one — a unanimous decision loss to South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane in a world title bout. Most of his opponents have been from Asia but in Lopez he will have a Mexican pugilist standing in front of him for the first time.

Mexico is one of the top boxing nations in the world and has produced more world champions than any other country in the last 30 years.

At 37, Lopez, nicknamed El Maravilla (the wonder), is far more experienced and boasts 46 career pro fights, of which he won 36 and lost 10. He is also a former world champion, having held the World Boxing Council’s light flyweight title earlier in his career. The fight comes roughly two months after Waseem’s last outing. In the September 13 fight against Philippines’ Conrado Tanamor, the Quetta-born had won via a knock out in the very first round.

Waseem and Lopez had their weigh in today, following which the two held a press conference as well. The Pakistani pugilist admitted that Lopez is vastly experienced but said that he trusts his own hard work. He vowed to give his best right from the beginning and secure another KO.