Waseem has won all his professional fights so far and has his eyes set firmly on the WBC flyweight
title. PHOTO COURTESY: ANDY KIM
And Waseem promised his fans there is more to come, revealing that he has his eyes set on the WBC title.
Waseem becomes Pakistan's first silver flyweight champion
The 28-year-old had a 100% knockout record before this bout with three knockouts in three professional fights but Oliva was the more experienced boxer, with 31 fights to his name.
Waseem dominated the fight but could not knock Oliva out. However, he won the title through a unanimous decision after fighting 12 rounds.
From Singapore to South Korea: Venue for Waseem’s title fight changed
“I’m happy that I can be an example [to follow] now,” Waseem told The Express Tribune. “I don’t think there has ever been a boxer who switched to professional competitions from amateur and won a WBC title in such a short span of time.”
Waseem, nicknamed Falcon due to his speed and resilience, said it was a part of his strategy to play all 12 rounds. “I had to be patient. Oliva is a very tough opponent and doesn’t give in easily either,” said Waseem. “So I felt it was a good plan to dominate the fight round-by-round, instead of looking for a knockout, because I didn’t want to consume all my energy in the early rounds.”
Bout of his life: Waseem’s weigh in for WBC title
The Quetta-born pugilist labelled the fight the most important fight of his life, as he wanted to prove that Pakistani boxers can be successful also and can make a name for themselves despite all the odds.
“When I came to Korea and then went to the US, I realised that boxers are really well taken care of; that people respect boxers and their talent,” said Waseem. “That is something we never get in Pakistan, I am grateful to my friends and fans, but the authorities don’t really care.”
In the limelight: Waseem to fight for WBC Silver title
Like many other athletes, Waseem bemoaned the lack of interest in sports other than cricket. “In Pakistan there is respect and interest in cricket only,” he said. “I sometimes struggle to explain to people abroad why we don’t get much support from our own country.”
Waseem said he is hoping that attitude towards boxing changes after his win but vowed to carry on even if it doesn’t.
“I hope people watched my bout since I gave it my all,” said Waseem. “And despite everything, I’m a Pakistani so whatever I win belongs to Pakistan.”
Growing fan base
Waseem’s promoter Andy Kim revealed Korean fans were impressed with Waseem’s performances and feels his popularity is soaring.
“The fans were excited for Waseem — we checked a few Korean websites after the fight and they all had good things to say about him, so I’m glad,” said Kim.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2016.
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