Pakistan’s top pugilist Muhammad Waseem is fully geared-up to reach the final of his flyweight division bout of XVII Asian Games Boxing Tournament on Thursday.
Quetta-based Waseem, Pakistan’s last surviving member of the boxing team will be pitted against formidable Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan on Thursday evening at Seonhak Gymnasium in the semifinals.
“I am physically and mentally prepared to take the challenge,” he told journalists while watching the Pakistan and Malaysia hockey semifinal on Wednesday night.
“We know Uzbek boxers are tough and hard to beat. But this is sport and little bit of luck and couple of solid punches can change your destiny, “Commonwealth Games silver medalist at Glasgow a couple of month ago, commented.
He said standard of boxing in some weight division was tougher than Europe and South America. But he was looking forward to the challenge.
Pakistan coach Ali Bakhsh, who himself won the flyweight gold in Asian Games in New Dehli in 1982 said he working hard to prepare Waseem for this big contest.
“Reaching the final will be a great achievement for Pakistan as they have not won silver in Asian Games in the last 12 years,” he said.
Ali Bakhsh said Waseem got cuts on the left and right eyebrows in his two fights. But now okay for his semifinal contest.
He said Waseem is a courageous fist-fighter if and luck favored him he was capable of reaching the final.
Pakistan’s five boxers Sanaullah, Ahmed, Nadir Ali, Aamir Khan and Mohib Pasha event out in the pre-quarters and quarterfinal rounds. (APP)
