Boxing: Mohammad Ali declines invitation
Legendary boxer not to attend Benazir boxing championship.
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Boxing Federation suffered a huge setback in their preparation for the 2nd Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship when boxing legend Mohammad Ali turned down an invitation to attend the event due to health issues.
While British boxer Amir Khan has confirmed his presence – and an invitation extended to Mike Tyson – the PBF, hoping to make the event a roaring success, were left saddened by Ali’s regret.
“We contacted him but he turned it down citing health issues,” PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune. “He was very polite with his response and recalled his last visit to the country.”
Teams expected shortly
The event will witness the presence of over 50 boxers from seven countries, according to Akram, and while a British boxer Haider Ali has already joined a group of 34 local boxers in Islamabad, teams from Ghana, Cameroon, Iran, Sri Lanka, Syria and Nepal are expected to arrive shortly.
The PBF, with assistance from the Army Sports Board, will also install an extra ring at the Liaquat Gymnasium where the event will be taking place.
“Training with foreign boxers will give our pugilists good preparation and that’s why we have scheduled a training camp. This will also be cheaper than sending our boxers abroad for training.”
Waseem-Haroon conflict to be resolved
Pakistan will be going in with three teams in the event starting from December 20 with Akram confirming that the pending weight conflict between Mohammad Waseem and Haroon Khan will also be taken care of.
“They will be taking part and the coaches will asses their performance. Only the best will represent Pakistan in the Asian Championship next year.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2011.
The Pakistan Boxing Federation suffered a huge setback in their preparation for the 2nd Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship when boxing legend Mohammad Ali turned down an invitation to attend the event due to health issues.
While British boxer Amir Khan has confirmed his presence – and an invitation extended to Mike Tyson – the PBF, hoping to make the event a roaring success, were left saddened by Ali’s regret.
“We contacted him but he turned it down citing health issues,” PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune. “He was very polite with his response and recalled his last visit to the country.”
Teams expected shortly
The event will witness the presence of over 50 boxers from seven countries, according to Akram, and while a British boxer Haider Ali has already joined a group of 34 local boxers in Islamabad, teams from Ghana, Cameroon, Iran, Sri Lanka, Syria and Nepal are expected to arrive shortly.
The PBF, with assistance from the Army Sports Board, will also install an extra ring at the Liaquat Gymnasium where the event will be taking place.
“Training with foreign boxers will give our pugilists good preparation and that’s why we have scheduled a training camp. This will also be cheaper than sending our boxers abroad for training.”
Waseem-Haroon conflict to be resolved
Pakistan will be going in with three teams in the event starting from December 20 with Akram confirming that the pending weight conflict between Mohammad Waseem and Haroon Khan will also be taken care of.
“They will be taking part and the coaches will asses their performance. Only the best will represent Pakistan in the Asian Championship next year.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2011.