Azim vows to make 'big statement' this year after breakthrough 2022

Adam Azim wants to emulate idol Amir Khan by becoming a world champion before the age of 23, as the hot prospect vows to make ‘BIG statements’ this year after stunning breakthrough in 2022

• Hot prospect Adam Azim won all five of his fights by knockout in 2022 
• Azim is looking to have another big year to move onto the world stage
• Azim returns to action against the unbeaten Santos Reyes on February 11 

Twelve months ago, Adam Azim was a little-known prospect with just two professional fights to his name. He is now one of the brightest young talents in British boxing.

In a sport where things rarely run smoothly and a career can be derailed with just one punch, Azim’s 2022 could not have gone much better.

Five wins, five knockouts, and he wasn’t extended beyond the third round. His latest win against Rylan Charlton in November was a particularly devastating one as he stopped his usually durable opponent inside two rounds.

Having moved to 7-0, Azim has admitted that 2022 was a big one for him, but has assured his ever-increasing fanbase that he is only just getting started.

‘I was definitely happy with 2022. I had a tremendous year, I got the spectacular knockouts I wanted,’ Azim told Sportsmail.

Adam Azim won all of his fights in 2022 by knockout inside three rounds

‘A lot of people are definitely excited about me fighting every time I fight now, so they’re expecting a knockout or a great performance.’

‘That fight (against Charlton) was one of the biggest statements for a prospect, to do it in style like that, because I’m pretty sure the previous fights that he’d had, no one’s ever done that to him.

‘He’s been in tough fights, but power is what troubles a lot of people and he couldn’t cope with my speed early and he couldn’t cope with my power. But it was definitely a big statement, and I think there’s going to be more statements like that.’

Azim returns to the ring next month when he faces the unbeaten Santos Reyes at Wembley Arena.

The 20-year-old is set to top the bill and is aiming for another early finish, but insists he will not be overlooking Reyes in his opening fight in 2023.  

‘He’s 12-0, it’s for me to get that stoppage to send a big statement. He’s coming to win, and I give my respect to whoever gets in the ring with me,’ Azim added.

‘Every opponent I get in the ring with, I still think it’s a step up for every opponent I fight. I don’t really want to have that mindset (becoming complacent), when I go into the ring I’m underestimating no one. When I go in that ring I’m always focused, I always take every training camp seriously, and this is just another guy in my way, and I just need to take him out, that’s it.’

Azim may be solely focused on Reyes for now, but he already has 2023 mapped out in his mind.

Azim has vowed to continue making ‘big statements’ over the next 12 months

Under the guidance on trainer Shane McGuigan, Azim wants to move towards a world title

Given that he doesn’t turn 21 until July, some may expect him to want to take his time and use the next 12 months to gain experience.

But Azim clearly believes in himself, and is anticipating another busy year where he picks up titles to move himself onto the world stage.

‘I’ve got five fights again this year so I’m going to be on a busy schedule, and I want to be grabbing these titles with both hands. This year, it’s strap season for me, the Commonwealth, European, domestic titles as well, and even the world title level. 

‘I want to be stepping up soon in that way, probably the end of the year. Whatever my trainer says, I’m ready.’

Getting a world title around his waist won’t be easy for Azim, with the 140lb division threatening to explode this year.

Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall are set to face each other once more in March after their controversial first fight last year, while former unified lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez is also now campaigning at light-welterweight.

There is also the prospect of Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia stepping up after their proposed clash in April, and current lightweight king Devin Haney may not be far away from trying his luck at the weight class above.

Azim wants to fight the best, and has set his sights on a future clash with Devin Haney (above)

Azim is not worried about testing himself against world-class opposition, though, and is keen to mix it with the best sooner rather than later.

‘The division is thriving at the moment, and I want to get my name in that mix. Because that’s where all the world-class fighters are. And I want to become a world-class fighter. 

‘I want to be fighting Devin Haney, Teofimo (Lopez), Ryan Garcia and Gervonta (Davis). Those are my ambition fights that I want to have because those are the big fights later in my career that will become a mega-fight, and I want to be fighting these people soon.’

So, when can we expect to see Azim in the ring with some of the best fighters on the planet? 

Azim grew up idolising Naseem Hamed and Amir Khan – and both men became world champions before they turned 23.

Amir Khan won a world title at 22, and Azim wants to follow in his idol’s footsteps

Azim’s promoter Ben Shalom has backed his fighter to win a title by 23, but the man himself thinks he is capable of having a belt even sooner after taking on board advice from Hamed and Khan.  

In response to Shalom’s statement, Azim replied: ‘It could be even sooner. At 22, I would love to become a world champion. Amir Khan did it at 22, Prince Naseem did it at a young age as well so for me at 22/23 to become a world champion, that’s a big statement.

‘I’m very close with Amir and I’ve had some chats with Prince Naseem. They’re both lovely people and they know about me as well, which is great. And I want to do the same things that they did in their careers, and hopefully I will go on to do bigger and better things.’

To achieve his ambitious goal, Azim will need to move through the gears in 2023 to put himself in position to challenge for world honours in 2024.

After bursting onto the scene last year in spectacular fashion, Azim is determined to prove that he is here to stay. 

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