Race against time: Top Pak pugilist Waseem hopes to get ready for next month's world title bout

Pakistan's top professional boxer and three-time World Boxing Council (WBC) world silver flyweight champion Muhammad Waseem will depart for Liverpool on Monday at 6 p.m. for a few days of training in preparation for his world title match.

Waseem, 34, is set to face the undefeated South African boxer Sabelo Cebekhulu in an IBF bantamweight title fight on October 4 at the Intercontinental Hotel in St. Julian's, Malta. Cebekhulu holds a 7-0 record with 3 knockouts since turning professional in 2019.

Waseem had considered abandoning plans for the much-anticipated fight due to repeated difficulties in obtaining a Schengen visa. However, he eventually secured the visa and quickly underwent medical tests at the Agha Khan Hospital in Karachi on Monday.

"Thank God I finally received the visa and will be leaving tonight," Waseem told Nukta on Monday. "It was a difficult situation, and after getting the visa, I had to complete my medical tests and MRI, which were necessary for the fight. I'm grateful to the Agha Khan Hospital staff for accommodating me on such short notice."

"Now my focus is on the fight. I didn't get much time for training because of the uncertainty surrounding the situation, but I am praying for the strength and courage to achieve my goal," added Waseem, who is also a former Asian Games bronze medalist.

Training for fight

Waseem will train for about four days in Liverpool before heading to Malta, where he'll have another four days before the fight.

"I plan to leave Liverpool around September 28-29 for Italy first, and from there, I’ll go to Malta," he said.

This will be Waseem's first professional fight in two years. His last major bout was in March 2022 against England’s Sunny Edwards for the IBF flyweight title at the Duty-Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai. Edwards won by unanimous decision with scores of 116-110, 115-111, and 115-111. Despite the loss, Waseem earned $100,000 from the fight.

Waseem will be coached by his former trainer Danny Vaughn, who previously worked with him under MTK Global.

Waseem, nicknamed Falcon, has competed in 14 fights, winning 12 and losing just two, both of which were world title bouts.

Due to visa delays, there was an increased risk that the fight might be canceled. Waseem's coach, Danny, was concerned about his safety, but sources said the organizers were unwilling to cancel, having already invested significantly in the event where Waseem’s fight is the main attraction.

The fight will be promoted by Blockone and broadcast worldwide on DAZN and FightZone TV.