Pakistan’s renowned boxer Muhammad Waseem is set to defend his WBA World Bantamweight Gold title tonight (November 29) in Lahore, headlining one of the biggest professional boxing events ever staged in the country.
Waseem, who has been preparing intensively in Liverpool under coach Danny Vaughan, said he is eager to fulfil his long-held dream of defending a world title on home soil. “I’ve put in everything for this fight night on November 29,” the 38-year-old said, ahead of his bout against Thailand’s Jakrawut Majungoen, a tricky southpaw opponent.
This will be Waseem’s second major event in Pakistan this year. In May, he organised a landmark fight night in Quetta, with support from the Pakistan Army and the Balochistan government, the first professional boxing event in the country sanctioned by a globally recognised body.
Tonight’s “Fight for Glory” card at Lahore’s Garrison Club features more than seven fights, with 38 international boxers and six Pakistani fighters in action. Boxers have arrived from the UK, USA, Mexico, Germany, and France, according to Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, who has been overseeing arrangements.
It is the first time Pakistan is hosting such a large group of foreign fighters simultaneously, and security measures have been strengthened accordingly.
Waseem, also known as The Falcon, has spent months adjusting his strategy for Jakrawut. He said his preparation included long daily training sessions, strength drills, and extensive travel within the UK to find quality sparring partners. “There’s a lot at stake for me, so the training has been intense,” he said. “The plan will be different for Jakrawut. Since he’s a southpaw, I’ve been working specifically on combinations for that style.”
The Quetta-born boxer has an impressive professional record with 14 wins in 16 fights, including 10 knockouts. He previously held the WBC Silver Flyweight title in 2016, and earlier this year, he captured the WBA Gold World title. Although he missed out on the IBF world flyweight title against Sunny Edwards in 2021, he has continued to make his mark on the global stage.
Waseem said the journey has not been easy, especially being away from his family and travelling long distances within the UK for sparring, but he believes this event will have a lasting impact on Pakistan’s boxing scene. “I want to give our fighters opportunities they never had. I know what young boxers go through, especially coming from Quetta,” he said. “This platform will help both male and female boxers get the exposure they deserve.”
To bring an international flavor to the event, Waseem has even arranged for American rapper Mr Capone-E to perform during the show.
Expressing gratitude for the support he received, Waseem credited the Punjab government and Pakistan Army for helping him bring such a large-scale event to life. “An event of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without them,” he said.
