Former World No.1 Muhammad Waseem wants second showdown against Africa’s Mthalane

Former two-time WBC flyweight world silver champion, Waseem also knows as "Falcon" has clinched 10 professional bouts in his career yet. The 33-year-old has so far appeared in 11 fights in his pro career.

Quetta-born top pugilist Muhammad Waseem has expressed that his ultimate goal is to get a rematch with South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane and claim International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Flyweight title.

Waseem lost to Mthalane in controversial circumstances in Malaysia in July 2018. He had gone up against the South African in the 12-round bout. Although he left his opponent wobbling with both of his eyes swollen, the judges ruled 114-113, 114-113 and 116-110 in favor of his opponent.

“Since then I’ve been pressing him [Mthalane] for a test once more, however without any result up until now. It’s clear he doesn’t want to fight me. But he is left with only two options now – either to fight me to defend the title or vacate it as I’ve already challenged for that,” Waseem told APP.

“Hopefully, the title fight will take place in March, next year. But prior to that I’ll be fighting in an eliminator in December to qualify for that [title fight],” Waseem added.

Asian Games bronze medalist Waseem has also been ranked by the WBC in the super flyweight category at the 14th spot because he appeared in the last two fights in Dubai in that category.

In the WBO flyweight ranking, Waseem is at the 11th number. That means out of four world bodies three have ranked the former two-time Commonwealth Games medalist.

“I’m the only Pakistani boxer, who has reached to that level. It’s also a pride for my country as being the world title challenger I can challenge the champion from any boxing world body,” he added.