Adam Azim says Dalton Smith fight would be ‘massive’ but he first wants to become a Euro king on November 18
Adam Azim says a “huge” showdown with Dalton Smith “will happen” but he first plans to surpass his domestic rivals by becoming European champion.
The unbeaten 21-year-old challenges Franck Petitjean for the European super lightweight title in just his 10th professional fight in Wolverhampton on November 18, live on Sky Sports.
A showdown against Smith, the current Great Britain and Commonwealth titleholder, could be part of Azim’s future plans, but he is focused on his own career path, which pushes him towards the biggest names in the division.
“In the future it would be something huge,” Azim told Sky Sports.
“It’s not a fight to have at the moment because we’re both on our way to becoming world champions. I feel like if we become world champions, we can make the fight bigger.
“But right now I’m focused on the European title. I haven’t looked at it once because I’m chasing the EBU title. That’s why I took on Fanyan, to prove that I’m ready for the EBU title.
“If that fight happens along the way, it will happen. Eventually it will happen. There is no fuss. My mentality is focused on that European title and bringing it back home.”
It is crucial for Azim to become the first British-Pakistani to lift the title, and he is not willing to let this opportunity go to waste.
“Winning the EBU title is a huge achievement for me,” he said. “It would be huge in the British Asian and Pakistani community that I win the EBU title in my next fight. I’m not letting this go, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”
Last year, Azim delivered three stoppages in the first round, and has since increased his level of competition. Hard-fought victories over Santos Reyes and Aram Fanyan, both of which came via unanimous decisions, have him ready for another tough test.
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From picking up the gloves at the age of four to inspiring a nation on the big stage, rising star Adam Azim shares his incredible story.
“I definitely need the experience as Fanyan,” he said. I’ve had two tough fights, two durable opponents, and I feel like this was great preparation for the European title. I came out of two with flying colors. It shows that I can tick boxes in different departments, I am ready for the EBU title.
“I had the highlights of the knockouts in the early phase of my career. This is now the learning process for me, for the next phase. I am now in the European phase, where the fights will be tougher. The training has to smart Everything has to be smart.
“Even during the fights I don’t get carried away. In the two fights I had, I felt like I was developing as a fighter and my patience was very good in both fights.”
On the same programme, Tyler Denny also aims to become European champion when he challenges Matteo Signani for the middleweight belt.
Watch Adam Azim and Tyler Denny battle for the European titles on November 18, live on Sky Sports.
Register for presale tickets via BOXXER.com.