World Boxing Council (WBC) silver flyweight world champion Muhammad Waseem has expressed his disappointment over the lack of sponsorship at a time when he needs financial support for preparing for the world title.
“I am really frustrated that I am unable to get any sponsorship from Pakistan for which I played for more than a decade,” the Quetta-born boxer told ‘The News’ from Las Vegas, United States.
“I am still waiting for the prize money announced by some people when I returned to Pakistan after winning the world silver crown in July,” Waseem said.
He has been training at the world’s top boxer Floyd Mayweather Junior’s gym in Las Vegas to prepare for his bout against Giemel Magramo of the Philippines on November 27 at Seoul.
Waseem beat Jether Oliva of the Philippines on July 17 in Seoul to become the first Pakistani professional boxer to lift the flyweight world silver title.
Magramo won the vacant WBC International Flyweight Championship by beating Jeny Boy Boca, also of the Philippines.
Waseem is the only boxer in the world who has clinched the coveted title in only four pro bouts and he's secured ninth spot in the WBC rankings. Magramo occupies the 15th spot in the rankings.
Waseem will defend his title on November 27 in Seoul. He is in great form and doing hard training under the supervision of Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of Floyd Mayweather.
“I am in top shape and training hard. Insha Allah I will defend the title,” Waseem said.
Having switched over to pro boxing early last year Waseem has made swift progress by opting to fight 12-round contests directly, which only an accomplished boxer can do.
Winning the world silver crown in only his fourth fight was a miracle and Waseem says even in America many don’t believe that he achieved such a milestone in his brief pro career.
“Boxers and officials in America respect me a lot. They ask me how I did that. In America even common people gave me great respect for which I only dreamed in Pakistan,” Waseem said.
The other day Waseem met the wife of the late Muhammad Ali and the father of late American singer Michael Jackson, who visited the gymnasium where the Pakistani player trains.