Pakistani Boxer Mohammad Waseem Weighs Overseas Training for 2026 Title Defence or U.S. Showdown with Jesse Rodriguez.

Mohammad Waseem, Pakistan’s premier professional boxer and reigning WBA Gold bantamweight champion, is looking at training camps abroad for his upcoming fight, which the boxer expects to take place later this year. The boxer said that the most likely option is a defense of his WBA Gold bantamweight title, but he will keep other possibilities open if a higher‑profile bout becomes available. In a statement to The Express Tribune on Friday, Waseem named England, the United States and Europe as his preferred training destinations for a likely fight in December. Waseem captured the WBA Gold bantamweight title on last year’s 12‑round bout against Jakrawut Majungoen of Thailand at the Garrison Sports Complex in Lahore, and had previously taken his first gold in Quetta by defeating Venezuela’s Wiston Orono. On the amateur stage, the boxer earned a bronze medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and a silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He did not compete at the Olympics, missing a spot after losing in the quarter‑finals of the Asia qualifiers in Astana. A U.S. fight offer arrived, but Waseem declined because the short time available would not allow him to train for the required level: "Yes a fight had been offered in the US but time was too short and it was not possible to undergo the required training," he told the Tribune. Waseem is also discussing a potential matchup with Jesse Rodriguez, a multi‑division champion from the United States. He said, "If this fight is finalized it would be good. He is a tough boxer but I can beat him," and added that a three‑month training camp in the U.S. would be sufficient. The boxer’s professional résumé includes reaching the WBC flyweight silver championship in only his fourth professional fight, a title he has defended twice more to become a three‑time champion. Despite his successes, Waseem has faced setbacks, losing two world title fights. His most recent bouts were against Moruti Mthalane of South Africa in Malaysia and Sunny Edwards of England in Dubai in 2022, both of which ended in decision losses for Waseem. All of these developments underline the potential for a high‑profile fight later this year, with training and fight locations still being negotiated. Waseem’s next steps will determine whether he heads to a short‑term U.S. camp for a possible bout with Rodriguez or remains in Europe or the UK to prepare for a defense of his WBA Gold bantamweight title.