Pakistan’s celebrated boxer Muhammad Waseem is ready to defend his WBA World Bantamweight Gold title tonight (November 29) in Lahore. The event is being hailed as one of the biggest professional boxing nights ever hosted in the country.
Waseem, who trained rigorously in Liverpool under coach Danny Vaughan, said defending a world title on home soil has always been his dream. The 38-year-old will face Thailand’s southpaw contender Jakrawut Majungoen, a fighter known for his technical style and unpredictable movement.
A Historic Night for Pakistani Boxing
This will be Waseem’s second major event in Pakistan this year. In May, he organised a groundbreaking fight night in Quetta, the first-ever professional boxing event sanctioned by an internationally recognised body in the country.
Tonight’s “Fight for Glory” card at Lahore’s Garrison Club features more than seven bouts, with 38 international fighters and six Pakistani boxers competing.
Athletes have travelled from the UK, USA, Mexico, France, and Germany. Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar said strict security arrangements are in place as Pakistan welcomes the largest group of foreign boxers ever to compete simultaneously on its soil.
Waseem’s Intense Preparation and Vision
Known as The Falcon, Waseem spent months fine-tuning his strategy for Jakrawut. His preparation included daily conditioning sessions, power training, and extensive travel across the UK to secure high-level sparring partners.
He said that facing a southpaw requires a custom strategy. “The plan will be different for Jakrawut. I’ve worked specifically on combinations for his style,” he explained.
Waseem enters the ring with a strong professional record — 14 wins in 16 fights, including 10 knockouts. He previously held the WBC Silver Flyweight title in 2016 and won the WBA Gold World title earlier this year. Despite narrowly missing out on the IBF flyweight title in 2021, he remains one of Pakistan’s most prominent global boxing figures.
The Quetta-born fighter said the journey has been challenging, especially being away from his family and travelling long distances for training. But he believes events like this will uplift Pakistan’s boxing community.
“I want to create opportunities our fighters never had,” he said. “This platform will give both male and female boxers the exposure they deserve.”
Adding international entertainment flair, American rapper Mr Capone-E will perform during the show.
Waseem thanked the Punjab government and Pakistan Army for their support. “An event of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without them,” he said.
