Adam Azim Has ‘Several Major Fights On The Table’, Says Promoter Ben Shalom
Fast-rising super-lightweight prospect Adam Azim will have his next opponent soon and is ready to “announce himself on the world stage”, promoter Ben Shalom has said.
European champion Azim (11-0-0 8 KO) is one of the most exciting talents in the UK and is already growing a large fanbase and star profile. The 22-year-old is now expected to take a major step in his career to fight a recognized name in a stacked 140lbs division.
“Adam Azim is at an incredibly exciting stage of his career,” said Shalom. “At just 21 years of age and after only 10 fights, he is already European champion and is now ready to announce himself on the world stage.
“Adam has been attracting a lot of attention with big names on either side of the Atlantic calling him out. There are several major fights on the table for him and we’ll be sitting down with [manager and head trainer Shane, and father Barry] the McGuigans early next week to make a decision.”
Azim V Smith ‘Inevitable’
Super-lightweight is arguably the most competitive division in all of boxing. The world titles are held by Teofimo Lopez (WBO), Subriel Matias (IBF), Devin Haney (WBC), and Rolly Romero (WBA).
Beyond the champions, the division boasts the likes of former undisputed king Josh Taylor, Jack Catterall – who fight each other in a long-awaited rematch on May 25 – Ismael Barroso, Isaac Cruz, Regis Prograis, and many others with world title ambitions.
Then there is fellow British prospect Dalton Smith, who faces the seasoned American Jose Zepeda this coming Saturday.
“A fight between Adam Azim and Dalton Smith is inevitable,” said Shalom. “They are two of the most exciting fighters in the super lightweight division. Adam has been on a great run of fights – Reyes, Fanyan, Petitjean, Poulsen – all of which will have helped prepare him for what comes next.
Adam ‘Has A Lot Of Options’
“Dalton has a tough test against Zepeda this weekend that he’ll need to get through first, but we’d love to make that fight. Whether it happens next or one or two fights down the line, it has the potential to be a massive fight for British boxing.
“Adam’s star is rising and with his growing profile, you can see why so many other fighters want to fight him. He has a lot of options. Whether it’s big domestic showdowns or internationally recognized opponents, we’re going to see Adam in some big fights next.
“Adam has a strong team around him. The McGuigans have a great track record of picking the right fights at the right time for their boxers, and ultimately, we will be guided by them to make a decision that’s right for our fighter.”
Azim, nicknamed ‘Assassin’, turned pro in December 2020 and has made a seamless climb through the ranks. He became European champion in only his ninth fight when he stopped Franck Petitjean in the 10th round last November. He has defended the title once by stopping Enock Poulsen in the fifth round on February 3.
