GILGIT: Gilgit’s first-ever professional boxing festival commences on Saturday here at the Lalak Jan Stadium featuring 20 boxers from 10 countries.

The traditional face-off between the boxers was held at the Karakoram International University, Gilgit earlier on Friday.

Boxers from Indonesia, Thailand, UAE, Philippines, Nigeria, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Korea and host Pakistan will participate in the event.

Speaking to media after the face-off, Pakistani ABF Asian and WBC Middle East champion, Usman Wazir, who goes by the nickname ‘Asian boy’, said it will be the biggest boxing festival in the history of Pakistan.

Usman will fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) title when he faces an Indonesian boxer.

Meanwhile, another top Pakistani boxer Asif Hazara will fight for WBA South Asian title.

There will be foolproof security in place to ensure the safety of the fighters and audience. There will be no entry fee for spectators.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2022