Local boxers sceptical about Amir’s Super Boxing League

National bantamweight boxer Nadir Baloch feels Briton is doing this to only benefit himself

KARACHI: Former World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Amir Khan has announced that he wants to hold a Super Boxing League by the end of this month but local boxers have mixed feelings about the event.

Amir has said the league will be similar to the one in India, with boxers representing eight cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and Sialkot.

National bantamweight boxer Nadir Baloch welcomed the idea of a league but did say that none of the local boxers have been provided any information or details regarding the league.

“It’s a good thing; it sounds like a good platform, but we don’t know much about it,” Baloch, who is also training to compete in a Universal Boxing Organisation fight in Quetta this month, told The Express Tribune. “The problem is that at the moment we have no reason or motivation to take part in it; we don’t even know whether it is aimed to benefit local talent and hardworking boxers or whether all the money will be pocketed by the organisers.”

Baloch further revealed the extent of their ignorance. “Most local boxers play for different departments as well, so they are a part of the amateur circle and the boxing federation has not said anything about the league yet,” he said. “We haven’t been given any directions. Having said that, a league is a good thing because local events aren’t taking place either.”

Baloch feels it is vital for the boxers to get good opportunities since most of them hail from humble backgrounds and work hard for the sport.

“Every time Amir comes in, it seems that he does things for himself. I’m hoping this time around he really means what he is saying,” he added. “The league should be a professional event, he should get national boxers involved as they have given their life to boxing. However, if he really wanted to help the boxers, he would’ve done so a long time ago.”

National light-flyweight boxer Muhammad Janhazaib, on the other hand, feels the biggest advantage of a league will be the exposure local boxers will get if the event is broadcasted on TV.

“It’s a very good sign,” said Jahanzaib. “Mostly people ignore boxing and TV channels never show boxing events either, so people don’t know much about local boxers. This league can change that.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s 81kg boxer Awais Ali also welcomed the idea of a league and hopes it follows a similar pattern of success as its Indian counterpart.