Waseem to fight his final bout of 2017

Boxer to go up against Panama's Carlos Melo

KARACHI: World Boxing Council (WBC) silver flyweight champion Muhammad Waseem will be seen in action against Panama's Carlos Melo on Sunday.

Waseem, 30, who turned pro in 2015 only and has already notched up seven victories in his blossoming career, will be fighting his third bout of this calendar year.

This will be his third straight bout with a Panamanian, with the previous two —against Eliecer Valdez and Ivan Trejos — both coming in July and both resulting in stoppage victories for the Quetta-born.

"Melo is a good opponent," Waseem told The Express Tribune from Panama, where he has been training under coach Jeff Mayweather since July. "He is a local boxer but he has a lot of experience. I'm not taking him lightly at all."

The 36-year-old Panamanian does have an edge in the experience department, with him being a 42-bout veteran as opposed to Waseem having just seven fights under his belt.

Waseem believes Melo's short stature gives him another edge on paper but remains confident that his camp went so well he can counter whatever his opponent throws at him.

"Boxers with shorter heights can cause trouble, but I'm prepared," he said. "I've sparred for more than 100 rounds before this fight. It's been a long journey since I've come to Panama. I've worked hard as much as I could."

With Waseem expected to land a world title shot against Japan's Daigo Higa early next year, the fight with Melo could be Waseem's last of 2017.

"This is most likely the last bout for me this year as I'd have to prepare for the WBC title shot against Higa," he affirmed.

Waseem has spent the last few years trying his countrymen to take notice of his achievements but his efforts have largely gone in vain.

After years of failure —outside the ring— it seems Waseem has finally run out of patience. He will still visit Pakistan after this fight to try one last time, but if he doesn't succeed this time either, he says that will be it.

"They (Pakistani public) don't care, they wouldn't even show my bouts, which hurts, but I will try one last time and see how things go," said Waseem.