Pakistan’s Waseem signs with Manny Pacquiao Promotions to boost boxing career

Pakistani boxing star and former WBC World Boxing Council (WBC) world No. 1, Muhammad Waseem, is confident that his collaboration with Filipino star Manny Pacquiao’s company will be instrumental in advancing his professional career.

Waseem signed a one-year agreement with Manny Pacquiao Promotions on Monday, run by the legendary Pacquiao, the only boxer to win titles in eight weight divisions.

“I think it’s good to have entered into a deal with Manny Pacquiao Promotions at a time when I needed such a partnership. I am at the most important phase of my career and it will help me shape things well,” Waseem told Nukta.

Manny Pacquiao celebrates after winning the bout against Lucas Matthysse on July 15, 2018.Reuters

Waseem and Pacquiao go way back — they fought on the same card in 2018. That night, Waseem took a tough loss against South Africa’s Moruthi Mthalane in Malaysia, missing out on the world title.

Interestingly, this is the third promotion deal Waseem has signed in the last two years. After his IBF flyweight title fight against Sunny Edwards in 2022, his promotion MTK Global shut down, forcing him to join Dubai-based Disrupt Promotions. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out, and he didn’t get a single fight.

In June 2024, he signed with Vaughan Promotions Malta, and he just got back in the ring recently, knocking out Jana Mimisishi in the third round. That was Waseem’s first fight in two years since his loss to Sunny Edwards of England. in March 2022

Waseem was supposed to fight for the WBF bantamweight world title against Sabelo Cebekhulu on October 4, but things went sideways when he couldn’t get his Schengen visa in time. He missed out on training, and the fight fell through. But now, with Manny Pacquiao Promotions backing him, things are looking up.

Fighting at home

Waseem hinted at possibly having his next two fights in Pakistan.

“My promotion also wants me to fight for the world title in Pakistan. I am going to work on it and if it happens it would be a good thing for me and for Pakistan’s boxing as well,” Waseem said.

Waseem is expected to go after the WBC bantamweight silver world title next. Waseem's already bagged three WBC world flyweight silver titles during his time with South Korea’s AK Promotions.

“Yes, there is a huge chance of it and it would be in a bantamweight division this time,” Waseem confirmed.

Government’s support needed

The Quetta-born fighter is calling on the Pakistani government for support.

"I’ll need the federal government’s backing to bring such big fights to Pakistan. Back in the day, Nawaz Sharif’s government helped me out with my training in the US, and I’m hoping for the same from Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif," Waseem said.

"State support is crucial. Even though I’m working with top-notch promotions, I’ll always need the government’s help. I recently faced visa issues which damaged my opportunity of fighting for the world title. And when I bring my fights to Pakistan, I’ll definitely need both the federal and provincial governments’ support."

Since turning pro in 2015, Waseem’s had 15 fights, winning 13 and losing two — those losses being world title bouts against South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane in 2018 and England’s Sunny Edwards in 2022.

Waseem’s new promoters may send him to Los Angeles for training, where he will continue to work with coach Danny Vaughn, who has been his trainer since his time with MTK Global.