KHAPLU: Knocking out his Tanzanian contender, young Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Middle East title in Dubai on Wednesday.
Wazeer, who hails from the Astore district of Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, is nicknamed ‘The Asian Boy’ and widely regarded as one of the greatest contemporary Pakistani boxers. He is currently an undefeated welterweight boxer and holds the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) Asian title, being the first Pakistani to do so.
Wazeer, 21, made his professional boxing debut against Moroccan Brahim Oubenais (0-1-0) on May 3, 2019, in Dubai, where the former won by a split decision after four rounds, claiming his first professional victory. The Pakistan boxer, who has so far featured in six professional bouts, remains unbeaten.
“I thank Allah Almighty!” Wazeer cried out in the ring after Wednesday’s victory. “After becoming the champion of Asian Boxing title, now I am the champion of WBC Middle East.”
“I want to thank my coach and all supporters for supporting me at every movement,” he said. “It is a proud movement for us and I will keep winning the fights and no stone will be left unturned to make Pakistan proud.”
Wazeer said he wanted to dedicate the latest title to the Pakistan army.
“I want to dedicate this title to the Pakistan Army as they live on the borders to protect us,” the boxer said. “Owing to them we are safe in the country.”
The fight was not easy, he said, “but Alhamdulillah, I have done it.”
Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer wins World Boxing Council Middle East title
https://arab.news/bp6nm
Pakistani boxer Usman Wazeer wins World Boxing Council Middle East title
- Is currently undefeated welterweight boxer, first Pakistani to hold Asian Boxing Federation Asian title
- Dedicates Wednesday’s win in Dubai to Pakistan army, “owing to them we are safe in the country”
Death toll in Pakistan wedding suicide blast rises to six
- Attack targeted members of local peace committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan
- Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces
PESHAWAR: The death toll from a suicide bombing at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan rose to six, police said on Saturday, after funeral prayers were held for those killed in the attack a day earlier.
The bomber detonated explosives during a wedding gathering in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, injuring more than a dozen, some of them critically.
“The death toll has surged to six,” said Nawab Khan, Superintendent of Police for Saddar Dera Ismail Khan. “Police have completed the formalities and registered the case against unidentified attackers.”
“It was a suicide attack and the Counter Terrorism Department will further investigate the case,” he continued, adding that security had been stepped up across the district to prevent further incidents.
No militant group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.
Khan cautioned against speculation, citing ongoing militancy in the area, and said the investigation was being treated with “utmost seriousness.”
The explosion targeted the home of a member of a local peace committee, which is part of community-based groups that cooperate with security forces and whose members have frequently been targeted by militants in the past.
Some media reports also cited a death toll of seven, quoting police authorities.
Emergency officials said several of the wounded were taken to hospital soon after the blast.
Militant attacks have intensified in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Afghan authorities of “facilitating” cross-border assaults, a charge Kabul denies.
