KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani boxer Muhammad Waseem has been denied European visa by Denmark, preventing him from competing in a crucial world title fight scheduled for October 4 in Malta.

Waseem, a two-time WBC silver champion, expressed his disappointment in an interview, saying, “I have been a world champion twice, and they rejected my visa, claiming I would disappear if I went there. I travel all over the world and was training with my coaches in London. I needed to arrive in Malta early to prepare for the upcoming world title fight.” The Danish Embassy reportedly kept Waseem’s passport for 40 days before returning it with the visa application rejected. Waseem was set to face opponent Sabelo Ngebinyana from South Africa for the World Boxing Federation Bantamweight Title. “I am hopeful for success against my opponent. The world title fight is very important to me, and I do not want to miss this opportunity,” Waseem added, urging the Pakistani government, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Army Chief to intervene and help secure his visa.