Waseem wants ‘champion’ title again

Pakistan boxer wants to beat Mthalane in rematch to re-wear flyweight belt

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s first World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Muhammad Waseem wants a rematch for his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title against South African Moruti Mthalane in May.

Waseem has been a sensation when it came to professional boxing back in late 2015 switching from amateur boxing and leaving behind the dream of representing Pakistan at the Olympics due to the Pakistan Boxing Federation’s (PBF) neglect of national pugilists, coupled with unprofessional approach to the sport. Waseem had decided to leave amateur boxing for good despite, bagging medals for Pakistan at the 2014 Asian Games, 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2010 South Asian Games, along with gold medals at the World Combat Games 

The breakthrough came in professional boxing with a WBC silver title against Jether Oliva in 2016 and then defending it successfully the same year.

With only one defeat in his professional career out of 12 bouts and 11 wins with eight knock-outs to his name, Waseem nicknamed Falcon wants a rematch in May. 

Waseem lost to Mthalane in 2018 after a close fight which was carded 114-113, 114-113. 116-111. A star-studded fixture as it was with Manny Pacquiao’s main bout in Kuala Lumpur on the cards too that became a blemish on Waseem’s unbeaten streak.

“I want that rematch and that is the aim for this year,” Waseem told The Express Tribune. “I really want that title. Mthalane is the champion with IBF so my goal is to get that fight. I really feel that I need that world champion title. Boxing has been the greatest love for me, and getting the that title is all I want for this year. It is not going to be easy, it is not going to get any better either. I know I'll be making the biggest change in my life this ye, I’ll be getting married and of course that brings a lot of responsibility too, but I feel I would want to go all out on this bout, more aggressive than before.”

Referring how the sport has been a way of life for Waseem, and him explaining that boxing remains one of the most dangerous sports in the world back in 2017, being a family man will be important for him and a way to find a balance.

He will be tying the knot on February 27, and he believes that it has been a new direction for him and his wife-to-be Dr Tabinda, who believes in Waseem’s ambition of becoming the world champion and having a successful career as she describes him to be honest, hard-working and humble – the traits that are found in greats of any sport.

“It has never been easy, but it is about a choice that one needs to make. I have been fighting the fighters; even the most recent one in Lahore the opponent was decent. It may not have been a title bout but it was a good fight, so I have to be careful, but at the same time this dream of becoming a world champion remains with me, even though it may be tough on our families, even though we know that people can die during bouts, even though it means we have to stay away from our families and loved one for training, it all pays off in the long run,” explained Waseem.

Especially in the light of the recent death of Balochistan boxer at a fight night organised by the Pakistan Boxing Council over the weekend, Waseem is asking for the safety of athletes and proper protocols for the boxing events if they take place in the country.

“It is heart-breaking for me to see this. It amplifies the fears of our loved one, it amplifies the need for safety precautions and for awareness. The boxer who passed away on the weekend after getting a punch on his head/face only shows the unawareness of the people involved at organising these events, and the PBF, it is unfair to the talented athletes. They trust the organisers, the officials, the people they are fighting for. I can see in the video of the bout that he was not even given a proper medical treatment at the time he was lying in the ring after getting punched,” said Waseem. 

The video of the boxer was being shared on the social media.