Magramo a major test: Waseem

Quetta pugilist still confident he will come out on top

KARACHI: World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight champion Muhammad Waseem believes his next title fight against Philippines’ knockout artist Giemel Magramo will be a major test, but one he is confident of passing with flying colours.

Waseem will be taking on the reigning WBC International Champion on November 27 in Seoul, South Korea, although he says his eventual target is WBC Super Flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez, who is also scheduled to defend his title against Carlos Cuadras next month.

The 28-year-old Quetta native feels the unbeaten Magramo (17-0), who boasts a 76% KO ration, is a good challenger and will help him climb the points ladder.



“It’s good to be challenged so I’ll be preparing for this fight with all I’ve got. I originally wanted to challenge the WBC Flyweight champion Gonzalez, but he is making a move to a different weight category,” Waseem told The Express Tribune.

Waseem is the first Pakistani to become a WBC Silver champion, a feat he took just four professional fights to achieve, but he believes to earn a shot against the likes of Gonzalez he needs more bouts under his belt.

“For now I have to trust my coach Jeff Mayweather and my promoter Andy Kim. Maybe, I’ll challenge Gonzalez later,” he said.



Moreover, he will need more sponsors to chip in if he is to contend at the very top of the boxing world.

“I was hoping that the WBC Silver title would make a difference, but again no one offered me any sponsorships. Fighting in the US requires money, so I’ll just go with the Magramo bout instead,” added Waseem. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd,  2016.

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