Pakistan’s rising kickboxing star Agha Kaleem delivered a thunderous statement at the World Professional Kickboxing Championship, knocking out Azerbaijan’s Revan Musayev in just 15 seconds.
The win caps off a dominant performance by the 24-year-old from Quetta, who has become one of Pakistan’s most promising combat athletes despite overwhelming odds.
The TKO came early in the opening round and left no room for doubt as Kaleem’s hand was raised in front of a stunned crowd.
The championship bout adds to Kaleem’s growing international résumé.
Just two months earlier, he secured a silver medal in the 51kg category at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships, where he controversially lost in the final to a Croatian opponent.
“I did not lose. They made me lose. The referee showed partiality in the final,” Kaleem said at the time, while still expressing pride in bringing home a medal.
Born in Quetta and now based in Baldia Town, Karachi, Kaleem's story is the epitome of resilience.
Allhmduillah when world professional fights against Azerbaijan 🇵🇰🥊
— kickboxer Agha kaleem 🥊🇵🇰 (@AghaKickboxer) May 12, 2025
Thank you so much for support @SAfridiOfficial @AliZafarsays @Shoaib_Jatt @imransiddique89 @OfficialShehr @salnaseer 🙌❤️ @PakRebel22 @murtazawahab1 @mirhamza_k @RashidMkhan79 @TheSaadKaiser @aliktareen pic.twitter.com/pjmdtItCG0
Despite his international success, he has spent years selling parathas and tea at a roadside stall to support himself.
His fortunes began to shift in 2023 after support from singer Ali Zafar and former cricket captain Shahid Afridi, who backed him during his journey to winning the International MMA Championship last year.
“Alhamdulillah, I won the international MMA championship,” Kaleem wrote in a post tagging Zafar.
Zafar replied: “Amazing! Believed in you all the way. So proud.”
With yet another medal under his belt and a record-breaking knockout to his name, Agha Kaleem is fast becoming a symbol of Pakistani grit — a fighter in every sense of the word.
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