QUETTA: Boxers Naimatullah Khan and Mohammad Waseem, who won gold and silver medals, respectively, at the South Asian Games, were warmly welcomed on reaching their ancestral city Quetta on Saturday.
President Balochistan Boxing Association Syed Faqir Hussain, other office-bearers, boxers, players and fans in a large number were present at the Quetta airport who showered rose petals on the medal winning boxers on their arrival through a PIA flight.
Provincial minister for sports Mir Shahnawaz Maree also arrived here with the boxers through the same flight.Talking on the occasion, medalist boxers Naimatullah Khan and Mohammad Waseem said that they are very happy on their achievement at the SAF Games.
They said they secured medals for the country and they would work hard in the same spirit to win more medals in future.Silver medalist Waseem said that justice was not done with him in the final as he was winning the contest against an Indian boxer.
Provincial minister Shahnawaz Maree said that the boxers would be eencouraged in every possible manner.On this occasion, he announced cash prizes of Rs200,000 each for both boxers and promised to give them full financial assistance like athlete Naseem Hameed, who made a name of the country at the SAF Games.The minister said that he would also request the governor and the chief minister of Balochistan to announce a financial assistance for the two boxers.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Amir hopes to clinch first Las Vegas date
Amir Khan hopes the lure of becoming a champion at four different weights will be enough to tempt Juan Manuel Marquez into the ring.
Khan is set to make his US debut in May and is desperate to take on the Mexican legend.
The WBA light-welterweight champion has already agreed to the fight, which new promoters Golden Boy are keen to finalise for May 15 in Las Vegas - but Marquez is still to commit.
Oscar de la Hoya is personally trying to persuade lightweight king Marquez, to take on Khan - but the 36-year-old's camp fear he is not ready to face such a powerful opponent following his brutal points defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr last September.
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer revealed: "Amir Khan has accepted the challenge. Oscar is talking to Marquez.
"Marquez understands this is a fight where he can make a good purse and the same is true for Amir Khan, so we are trying to put this fight together.
"This is a dangerous fight for either guy. For Marquez, it gives him the opportunity to become the first Mexican to win a title in a fourth weight class. And for Amir Khan it gives him the opportunity to have that big fight in the United States. That's why it makes it such an interesting fight."
Marquez' reticence to sign on the dotted line shows the daunting reputation Khan has built since defeating Andreas Kotelnik and Dmitriy Salita.
The WBO and WBA lightweight champion has desperately tried to secure a bout with Ricky Hatton - even offering to fight the Hitman in Manchester.
But Khan's emergence as a power-puncher under the guidance of Freddie Roach has led Marquez' camp to suggest he is not the right opponent for their man.
Marquez' manager Nacho Beristain said: "Khan is very strong and it is not a good fight for Marquez right now because he's not fully recovered from the Mayweather fight, which was just brutal.
"I think it's better to get another opponent. He should not be exploited again. Juan Manuel deserves to retire like a true champion and not as someone's stepping stone."
The WBA wanted Khan to defend his title against mandatory challenger, Marcos Maidana, but that fight has now been postponed.
Both the 23-year-old and Golden Boy are keen to pit him against a major name for his US debut.
Marquez certainly fits that category and would be bidding to add to the titles he has won at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight.
Schaefer said: "Marquez in my opinion, and still in the opinion of many, is the best Mexican fighter currently active. He brings the Mexican fans and his whole legacy to the table.
"The guy is a legend and he has to be treated and respected as such. Then you have Amir Khan who is the world champion at 140lbs and they would be fighting for the world title."
Khan is set to make his US debut in May and is desperate to take on the Mexican legend.
The WBA light-welterweight champion has already agreed to the fight, which new promoters Golden Boy are keen to finalise for May 15 in Las Vegas - but Marquez is still to commit.
Oscar de la Hoya is personally trying to persuade lightweight king Marquez, to take on Khan - but the 36-year-old's camp fear he is not ready to face such a powerful opponent following his brutal points defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr last September.
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer revealed: "Amir Khan has accepted the challenge. Oscar is talking to Marquez.
"Marquez understands this is a fight where he can make a good purse and the same is true for Amir Khan, so we are trying to put this fight together.
"This is a dangerous fight for either guy. For Marquez, it gives him the opportunity to become the first Mexican to win a title in a fourth weight class. And for Amir Khan it gives him the opportunity to have that big fight in the United States. That's why it makes it such an interesting fight."
Marquez' reticence to sign on the dotted line shows the daunting reputation Khan has built since defeating Andreas Kotelnik and Dmitriy Salita.
The WBO and WBA lightweight champion has desperately tried to secure a bout with Ricky Hatton - even offering to fight the Hitman in Manchester.
But Khan's emergence as a power-puncher under the guidance of Freddie Roach has led Marquez' camp to suggest he is not the right opponent for their man.
Marquez' manager Nacho Beristain said: "Khan is very strong and it is not a good fight for Marquez right now because he's not fully recovered from the Mayweather fight, which was just brutal.
"I think it's better to get another opponent. He should not be exploited again. Juan Manuel deserves to retire like a true champion and not as someone's stepping stone."
The WBA wanted Khan to defend his title against mandatory challenger, Marcos Maidana, but that fight has now been postponed.
Both the 23-year-old and Golden Boy are keen to pit him against a major name for his US debut.
Marquez certainly fits that category and would be bidding to add to the titles he has won at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight.
Schaefer said: "Marquez in my opinion, and still in the opinion of many, is the best Mexican fighter currently active. He brings the Mexican fans and his whole legacy to the table.
"The guy is a legend and he has to be treated and respected as such. Then you have Amir Khan who is the world champion at 140lbs and they would be fighting for the world title."
Khan chases Malignaggi bout
Briton determined to make big splash on US debut
Amir Khan has revealed he is looking to make his debut in America by taking on Paulie Malignaggi at New York's Madison Square Garden on May 15.
There has been continued speculation over Khan's next opponent following his switch to join Golden Boy promotions last month.
It was thought the WBA light-welterweight champion would take on mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana, with Juan Manuel Marquez another name mentioned.
However, having already made one mandatory defence with his first-round demolition of Dmitriy Salita in December, Khan is looking to take on a bigger name than Maidana in his first appearance Stateside.
It is understood his representatives approached Marquez, but with the Mexican rumoured to have turned down the chance to fight the young Briton on Wednesday, Khan has now set his sights on Malignaggi.
"May 15 is the date that I have, the fight will be in America, and opponent - we are looking at Malignaggi," Khan confirmed.
"We were looking at Marquez, who pulled out, so it's Malignaggi up to now and we want to hear what he thinks about the fight.
"Golden Boy have put the fight to his promoter Lou DiBella, so we will see where we go from here.
"I want to fight him in his home town (New York) and beat him in his home town in front of his own people.
"The fight has not been made 100% yet but I think there is a very good chance of it happening.
"When it does happen, I'm just going to go in there and do what I normally do and I really think Malignaggi has a style which is going to make me look good.
"He's not at my level. He has a few good wins in America, but it's another fight for me and I'll go there and do what I have to do."
Amir Khan has revealed he is looking to make his debut in America by taking on Paulie Malignaggi at New York's Madison Square Garden on May 15.
There has been continued speculation over Khan's next opponent following his switch to join Golden Boy promotions last month.
It was thought the WBA light-welterweight champion would take on mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana, with Juan Manuel Marquez another name mentioned.
However, having already made one mandatory defence with his first-round demolition of Dmitriy Salita in December, Khan is looking to take on a bigger name than Maidana in his first appearance Stateside.
It is understood his representatives approached Marquez, but with the Mexican rumoured to have turned down the chance to fight the young Briton on Wednesday, Khan has now set his sights on Malignaggi.
"May 15 is the date that I have, the fight will be in America, and opponent - we are looking at Malignaggi," Khan confirmed.
"We were looking at Marquez, who pulled out, so it's Malignaggi up to now and we want to hear what he thinks about the fight.
"Golden Boy have put the fight to his promoter Lou DiBella, so we will see where we go from here.
"I want to fight him in his home town (New York) and beat him in his home town in front of his own people.
"The fight has not been made 100% yet but I think there is a very good chance of it happening.
"When it does happen, I'm just going to go in there and do what I normally do and I really think Malignaggi has a style which is going to make me look good.
"He's not at my level. He has a few good wins in America, but it's another fight for me and I'll go there and do what I have to do."
I want to inspire young Asians, says Amir
London: BOXER Amir Khan hopes he can inspire more young Asians to be the best in sport.
The World Champion is ambassador for the British Asian Sports Awards, set up to recognise and honour British Asian sporting talent.
The awards were held in London on Saturday and winners included Formula One racer Adam Khan, Yorkshire and England cricketer Adil Rashid, Queens Park Rangers Vice-Chairman Amit Bhatia and England women’s cricketer Isa Guha.
Expert judges included former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash and Olympic Gold medallist, Denise Lewis.
Speaking at the event Amir said: “Role models drive young talent to excel in their sport so I feel that this awards show is important in recognising the role models of the future. Being an ambassador is a great honour for me because I’m able to give something back to the community and inspire more Asians to be the best in their sport.”
Asian Games hero awaits govt support
QUETTA: Quetta�s neglected hero Nematullah Khan, who clinched gold medal in 11th South Asian Games, is looking for government support, Geo News reported Friday.
Khan, a resident of Quetta�s Kakar Colony, belongs to a very poor family; but, he grabbed gold medal in 54-kg weight category�the only medal in six-member team participating in the boxing event.
Nemat�s father is a labourer having a family with seven sons and four daughters.
The national hero started boxing in 2004 from a local club here with Salahud Din as his coach. The Coach termed his performance as promising.
Din said the boxer started his sport career from his club, then he moved to national camp, adding he had no money to buy ticket for Karachi.
The hero Nemat works on contract in Wapda to earn 7000 rupees monthly.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Ex-Olympian hails Baloch boxers for securing medals
QUETTA: Former Olympian and three time gold-medalist in Asian Games Syed Abrar Hussain has praised the Baloshistan-based boxers for winning gold and silver medals at South Asian Games and termed it a positive development.
Talking with Geo News, Abrar Hussain said that all the boxers who won medals in the SAG deserve to be congratulated but the Pakistan boxing team should have won more medals.
He said that four boxers participated in the SAF Games 1984 and all of them won gold medals and in 1989, ten out of eleven boxers got gold medals.
Talking with Geo News, Abrar Hussain said that all the boxers who won medals in the SAG deserve to be congratulated but the Pakistan boxing team should have won more medals.
He said that four boxers participated in the SAF Games 1984 and all of them won gold medals and in 1989, ten out of eleven boxers got gold medals.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
AIBA awarded membership to Gambia
Africa:Gambia
The International Boxing Association has extended its recognition to the newly elected executive committee of the Gambia Amatuer Boxing Association, headed by Yusupha Jaiteh.
In a letter signed by the President of the International Boxing Association Ching-Kuo Wu, the world's boxing President, on behalf of the entire ALBA family, congratulates Yusupha Jaiteh and his committee on their recent election.
"I am confident that those elections took place in full compliance with the association's constitution, and that all officers were duly and respectfully elected," he said.
Ching-Kuo Wu expressed gratitude that The Gambia has a new leader to further enhance boxing programmes in the country.
Reacting to this development, the Gambia Amateur Boxing Association has promised to work towards achieving positive changes in Gambian Boxing this year and years to come.
The International Boxing Association has extended its recognition to the newly elected executive committee of the Gambia Amatuer Boxing Association, headed by Yusupha Jaiteh.
In a letter signed by the President of the International Boxing Association Ching-Kuo Wu, the world's boxing President, on behalf of the entire ALBA family, congratulates Yusupha Jaiteh and his committee on their recent election.
"I am confident that those elections took place in full compliance with the association's constitution, and that all officers were duly and respectfully elected," he said.
Ching-Kuo Wu expressed gratitude that The Gambia has a new leader to further enhance boxing programmes in the country.
Reacting to this development, the Gambia Amateur Boxing Association has promised to work towards achieving positive changes in Gambian Boxing this year and years to come.
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