Adam Azim’s Aspirations for the IBF World Championship
Adam Azim, a promising British light-welterweight, has recently articulated his aspirations to pursue the IBF world championship, opting to set aside a domestic showdown with Dalton Smith for the time being. Azim’s ambition comes on the heels of his noteworthy victory over seasoned opponent Steve Claggett at Wembley Arena, where he secured a stoppage in the third round – a feat that bolstered his rising status within the 140lbs weight class.
Focus on the IBF Title
Originally, Azim might have been seen ringside this weekend to support Smith as he defended his WBC title, but an injury to Smith has postponed that fight. This delay has allowed Azim to concentrate solely on securing the vacant IBF title, stating,
“I’m not in a rush. At 23, I have plenty of fighting years ahead of me. A major bout ideally needs a world title on the line to create excitement, particularly if it involves unifying two belts in the UK.”
Motivation and Experience
With clarity regarding his immediate goals, Azim expressed strong motivation to contend for the IBF championship, emphasizing,
“If the opportunity arises, I will grasp it readily; my next fight hopefully will be for the world title.”
His recent confrontations with high-caliber opponents, including Sergey Lipinets, Kurt Scoby, and Claggett, have provided him with the necessary experience to vie for the title, as he feels it is now warranted.
Future Plans and Opportunities
Amidst the current hold on the Smith bout, Azim is hopeful for a return to the ring in September or October, aiming for a shot at the IBF title. His performance against Claggett was particularly notable as he became the first boxer in 15 years to stop the Canadian. Despite the IBF mandating a match between Lindolfo Delgado and Artur Biyarslanov for the belt, there are murmurs from Azim’s promoter, Ben Shalom of BOXXER, suggesting that one of the fighters could vacate their position, potentially allowing Azim to step in.
Reflections on Recent Achievements
Reflecting on his achievement against Claggett, Azim remarked,
“I feel fantastic. I’ve been treating myself this week, and I believe I’ve earned it. Many thought I wouldn’t finish the fight early—Teofimo Lopez predicted a decision victory for me. But I secured the win with a knockdown in the second round and finished it in the third.”
As for the IBF landscape with Delgado and Biyarslanov, Azim expressed uncertainty, noting that there hasn’t been significant interest from promoters yet. He added,
“If I could secure that bout opportunity during the Riyadh season, it would be incredible.”
