Mohammad Waseem, the reigning WBA Gold bantamweight champion from Pakistan, is contemplating several international locations for his upcoming training camp as he prepares for his next professional bout, which is expected to take place later this year. The boxer is weighing options for either a title defense of his WBA gold belt or a unification fight, both of which hold significant importance for his career.
In a recent interview with The Express Tribune, Waseem indicated that England, the United States, and various European countries are among the potential training destinations he is considering. "Yes, England, United States, and Europe are on my radar as training destinations for my next fight which will most probably be held in December," he stated. He emphasized the importance of defending his WBA gold title before pursuing other opportunities.
Waseem's journey to the top of the boxing world has been marked by notable achievements, including winning the WBA Gold World Bantamweight title against Jakrawut Majungoen of Thailand in a 12-round match at the Garrison Sports Complex in Lahore last year. Prior to that victory, he claimed his first WBA gold title in Quetta by defeating Venezuela's Wiston Orono. His accolades also include a bronze medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and a silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Despite his impressive amateur record, which includes numerous international medals, Waseem has yet to compete in the Olympics. He narrowly missed qualifying for the London Games after losing in the quarter-finals of the Asia Qualifiers held in Astana. Recently, he was presented with a fight opportunity in the United States but declined due to insufficient preparation time. "Yes, a fight had been offered in the US but time was too short and it was not possible to undergo the required training," he explained.
There are also discussions regarding a potential matchup between Waseem and Jesse Rodriguez, a highly regarded boxer from the United States who has held titles in multiple weight divisions. Waseem expressed optimism about the possibility of this fight, saying, "Yes, talks are on and if this fight is finalized it would be good. He is a tough boxer but I can beat him." If the bout materializes, Waseem plans to relocate to the US for training, believing that a three-month preparation period would suffice.
Waseem's professional career began in 2015, shortly after he earned a bronze medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. He quickly made a name for himself in the boxing world, becoming the WBC flyweight silver champion in just his fourth professional fight and successfully defending it multiple times. However, he faced setbacks in two world title fights against South Africa's Moruti Mthalane and Sunny Edwards of England in 2022, where he was dominant but ultimately lost by decision.
As Waseem gears up for his next challenge, the boxing community will be keenly watching his preparations and the potential fights that lie ahead, particularly as he aims to solidify his status in the competitive bantamweight division.
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