Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem wins bout with stunning KO

SAINT JULIAN’S: Muhammad Waseem defeated Jaba Memishishi in their bantamweight contest on Saturday after a stunning knockout in the later rounds.

Waseem was looking to get back to his winning ways after losing to Sunny Edwards in 2022 when he challenged for the IBF flyweight title.

Since the loss, Waseem moved up weight classes, fighting his first bout in bantamweight against Georgia’s Memishishi at the Intercontinental Hotel in St. Julian’s, after his initial opponent dropped out.

After landing a vicious right hook that put Memishishi on the canvas, Waseem earned his ninth knockout victory.

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“I’m grateful for the support and look forward to bringing more victories for my country,” Waseem said after emerging victorious.

The former title challenger moved up in the World Boxing Federation’s (WBF) bantamweight rankings. His overall record now stands at 13 wins and 2 losses, with nine knockouts to his name.

The two-time WBC silver champion is making a title push in the new weight category. He was set to face South Africa’s Sabelo Cebekhulu for the vacant WBF world Bantamweight title in Saturday’s fight, however the bout was postponed and is set to have a new date announced soon.

The upcoming bout will mark Waseem’s third attempt at becoming a world champion, after losing a close decision to Cebkhulus compatriot, Moruti Mthalane, for the IBF world Flyweight title and again falling short against Sunny Edwards four years later.

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It will be Cebekhulus first chance at earning a world title in only his eighth ever fight. The South African’s last fight was against Layten Gloss in 2023, in which he won by Technical Knockout in the 3rd round.