CAN OLIVA WIN ON THE ROAD?

Former world title challenger Jether Oliva of the Sanman Gym will go for a career turnaround this Sunday July 17 when he squares off against Muhammad Wassem of Pakistan for the vacant WBC Silver flyweight title in South Korea.

For the past couple of years, Oliva (24W-5L-2D,11KO?s), has traveled to South Africa and Mexico but came up on the short end against South Africans Moruti Mthalane in an IBO title fight and Zolani Tete in a WBO regional bout. He also was at the losing end against Mexicans Luis Nery and Pedro Guevara. In between, Oliva?s last four wins were on home soil. Oliva fought and lost a decision to then champion Ulises Solis of Mexico for the IBF junior flyweight belt in 2011.

He will have pro experience on his side against Waseem (3-0, 3KO?s), a multi-awarded amateur boxer who has captured bronze in the 2014 Asian Games, silver in 2014 Commonwealth Games and a gold during the 2010 World Combat Games. Wikipedia has an entry that states that Waseem was unbeaten for seven years in national competitions in Pakistan. Waseem also holds the distinction of being the first pro boxer from his country.

Their fight will be at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul. Sanman Promotions informed philboxing that during the official weigh-in, Oliva was at 50.8kgs (111.9lbs) while Waseem weighed 50.88 kgs (112lbs).