Lahore, Pakistan – (Mudassar Iqbal)-The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has expressed serious concern over what it describes as a growing trend of misrepresentation in Pakistan’s boxing landscape, particularly involving self-declared “world champions” securing titles through non-merit-based professional promotions abroad.
The issue came into focus after a female boxer, Aliya Somro, claimed to be a world champion following a professional bout in Thailand. However, the PBF disputes the legitimacy of this claim, pointing to what it calls “fake promotions” and unregulated practices in certain boxing circuits.
Earlier,
The Sindh government announced a Rs4.7 million sponsorship for boxer Aliya Soomro to participate in a tournament in Dubai in August, where she will face off against an Indian opponent.
Soomro, 19, said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s sponsorship was a dream come true.
In a comment to Images, the boxer said she did not know the name of her Indian counterpart yet and would find out a week prior to the tournament.
Hailing from Lyari, Soomro has been making headlines for years as she navigates the pathway women’s resilience sports while fulfilling her father’s aspirations of athletic success.
Her father, a daily wage earner, was once a budding footballer who dreamt of scoring goals, hence Aliya’s immaculate winning streak is not only an inspiration to the “girls dreaming big in Pakistan’s streets” to whom she dedicates her victories, but also an ode to the man who motivated and enabled her to follow her passion.
Earlier this year, Soomro became the first Pakistani woman to win a world boxing title. She won against Thailand’s Sothida Gunya Noch by knocking her out in just 45 seconds in Bangkok to claim victory in the WBA Asia 105-pound category.
To honour this win, CM Shah hosted a special ceremony for her at CM House upon her return. She was awarded a cash reward of Rs1 million and was presented with a Sindhi Ajrak as a token of appreciation.
She was also recognised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) as a child demonstrating extraordinary talent, including her undefeated streak at national competitions.
In light of these achievements, during a session of the Sindh Assembly held on May 20, MPA Shazia Karim moved a resolution to acknowledge the accomplishments of the young boxer.
More recently, CM Shah expressed the Government of Sindh’s determination to “mentor and guide women athletes” while giving out his best wishes to this dynamic “daughter of Sindh” as she braces herself to face the world and assert victory in even bigger rings.
PBF’s Position on Professional Boxing
In a statement issued Friday, the PBF clarified that it is not opposed to professional boxing. However, the federation stressed its commitment to authenticity, transparency, and merit-based recognition in the sport.
“We believe national champions deserve respect, recognition, and support. The current trend of manufactured titles undermines the hard work of genuine athletes,” the statement read.
The Problem with Dubious Promotions
The PBF warned that certain promoters, particularly in countries like Thailand, are capitalizing on unregulated segments of professional boxing. These promoters allegedly sell title belts and arrange mismatched bouts against low-tier opponents, allowing individuals to falsely claim international success.
The Case of Aliya Somro
According to sources cited by the PBF, Aliya Somro trains in Lyari and is reportedly not ranked among the top female boxers even at the local level. The federation alleges that her claim to a world title lacks credibility and follows a pattern seen among a few other individuals who exploit loopholes in professional boxing for personal gain.
Names such as Usman Wazir, Shoaib, and Shehryar Afridi were mentioned in the statement as examples of boxers allegedly using similar tactics to gain fame and sponsorship under false pretenses.
“These individuals often avoid amateur boxing due to its competitive nature and instead opt for loosely governed professional circuits where titles can be purchased,” said a PBF spokesperson.
Support for Genuine Talent
The PBF reiterated its support for athletes who have progressed through Pakistan’s official boxing system — governed under amateur boxing and recognized by the Pakistan Olympic Association, Asian Boxing Confederation, and World Boxing.
Prominent female boxers including Mehreen Baloch, Maria Rind, Sara Baloch, Malaika Zahid, Fatima Zahra, Aysha Mumtaz, Ummal Banin, and others were named as legitimate athletes who have earned their accolades through national championships and departmental representation.
A Call for Integrity and Support
The PBF urged sports authorities, sponsors, and fans to be vigilant against false claims and to support athletes who have worked through proper channels.
“We call on the public and sponsors to recognize Pakistan’s real heroes — boxers who embody hard work, discipline, and true talent,” the federation said.
Understanding the System
Amateur boxing is a structured, merit-based system where athletes compete from club to national levels. In contrast, professional boxing is more individualized and fragmented, with multiple international bodies and varying levels of regulation.
While there are legitimate champions in professional boxing — such as Muhammad Waseem, who progressed through amateur ranks before achieving international success — the PBF cautioned that not all professional titles reflect true competitive achievement.
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