Former world champion Donnie Nietes has been penciled in to take on Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem in Dubai.
The fight scheduled for July 22 will be for the vacant IBO bantamweight crown, according to Boxingscene.
Nietes, a former four-division champion, dropped a 12-round decision against Kazuto Ioka in his most recent outing last year.
Waseem is currently undergoing a tough fight camp given Nietes’ caliber as a four-division champion.
“Yes, tough training is going on, and I am confident to pull off a win against Nietes, who is, no doubt, a tough fighter,” the Pakistani, who lost a decision to IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards, said.
Waseem expressed his intention to capitalize on the Filipino’s recent struggles, citing the latter’s back-to-back defeats.
“His last fights have not been that good, and I know how to fight against him in what could be a very crucial fight for me,” said Waseem.
“I have been doing training for over five hours daily. The time is too short as hardly two weeks are at my disposal. I have achieved top fitness and am hopeful to achieve the required rhythm soon, which will help me click in the fight.”
