Boxing: Waseem recommended for lucrative league
The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has put forward Mohammad Waseem for the lucrative World Series Boxing (WSB) event.
WSB is similar to cricket’s Twenty20 leagues where there is open bidding for players in five weight classes - bantamweight (54kg), lightweight (61kg), middleweight (73kg), light-heavyweight (85kg) and heavyweight (91+ kg).
“We’ve sent an email to the WSB suggesting Waseem’s name in the 54kg event,” PBF Secretary Akram Khan told The Express Tribune. “I hope there’s a positive reply as that’d be a great achievement for Pakistan. We’ve also sent a confirmation to the sport’s governing body that Waseem is ready to become a professional.”
There are 12 franchises in the WSB - Astana Arlans, Bangkok Elephants, Los Angeles Matadors, Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder, Dynamo Moscow, Venky’s Mumbai Fighters, Baku Fires, Beijing Dragons, Istanbul Bosphorus, Leipzig Leopards, Mexico City and Guerreros Paris United.
Waseem, who usually fights in the 52-kg category, has been Pakistan’s premier boxer, picking up two gold, one silver and four bronze medals in international events.
Meanwhile, Akram added that, although not a certainty, Zulqarnain Abbas (69kg) stands a good chance of making it to the Olympics after a qualifier got injured. Abbas, however, is competing for the spot with an unknown boxer, added Akram.
Meanwhile, Waseem was delighted to have been named by the PBF to take part in the WSB, adding that, “It’s a big event and I’ve followed it”.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2012.
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Love to see zulqarnein there, i stil remember his first bout, a talented kid