Boxing legend Mike Tyson expected to visit Pakistan

Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson is expected to visit Pakistan to witness the WBA bantamweight gold world title bout between Mohammad Waseem and Thailand’s Jakrawut Majungoen scheduled to be held in Lahore on November 29.

Highly reliable sources told Nukta that concerted efforts are underway to bring Tyson to Pakistan for what promises to be a historic sporting event.

Waseem, who recently claimed the WBA title in Quetta by defeating Venezuela’s Ernesto Ireneo in the ninth round, will make his title defense in the Punjab capital.

“Yes, Tyson is a legendary name and if sponsorships are successfully secured, he will be here with us on fight night,” a well-placed source told Nukta.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Tyson simultaneously held the WBA, WBC and IBF titles during his illustrious career.

The source added that other high-profile figures from the boxing world are also expected to attend including former world champion Roy Jones Jr.

Jones, who officially retired two years ago, is a four-division world champion, having won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight categories. He also won a silver medal for the United States in the light middleweight division at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Jones ended his professional career with an impressive record of 76 fights, 66 wins, and just 10 losses.

Much-anticipated fight

The Waseem-Majungoen bout is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both fighters boasting impressive records. The 30-year-old Majungoen has fought 59 professional bouts, recording 29 knockouts and seven losses.

Waseem, a three-time WBC flyweight silver champion and former WBC No1 contender, holds a record of 16 fights, with 14 wins (10 by knockout) and only two defeats, both in world title bouts.

Waseem is set to depart for Liverpool on September 30 to begin preparations for what he describes as the most crucial fight of his professional career.

According to sources, Waseem has remained in excellent physical condition while training consistently in Pakistan and has managed to maintain his fight weight.

Speaking to Nukta about his upcoming camp Waseem said: “Liverpool will be my main training base and I will be there next week to begin intensive preparations under my coach Danny Vaughn.”

“I have kept up my training here at home though I did not push too hard. My weight is well under control,” he added.

“Within ten days of arriving in Liverpool I expect to be in top form and from there I will build up steadily until fight night,” Waseem said.

“I have plenty of experience training in Liverpool. The weather is cool which suits my regimen and I have access to a well-equipped gym,” he noted.

Waseem outlined his daily training schedule.

“I usually start my morning session at 10 am and go until 1pm. After lunch, prayers and rest, I resume training from 5 pm to 7pm.”

The Quetta-born boxer also plans to head to the United States more likely to Dallas for a two-week training stint focused on sparring.

“I am aiming to get high-quality sparring in Dallas, especially with partners in my weight class. It will help me enhance my speed and ring adaptability,” he said.

“It would be ideal to get time there with sparring partners from various boxing schools, Mexican, Dominican and American to diversify my preparation,” Waseem concluded.