FIVE wins, 5 knockouts, 4 completely different cities. That was the story of Adam Azim’s 2022.
And now most likely the most well liked prospect in British boxing has been rewarded with a headline slot at a serious British area for the primary time in his burgeoning profession.
Azim, nonetheless solely 20, will face Santos “Starboy” Reyes, the 12-0 (3) Nicaraguan at Wembley Area and anybody betting towards him extending his six-fight stoppage scorching streak will certainly be unnoticed of pocket.
Reyes has by no means boxed exterior his native Nicaragua however he’ll really feel a good distance from house as soon as Azim assumes management. The Slough man’s final outing was a powerful two-round demolition of Rylan Charlton. The three earlier than that got here within the first spherical.
Azim is an awesome favorite – with Reyes so long as 14/1 with some oddsmakers – and for good purpose. The Shane McGuigan fighter has proven beautiful punch choice and real energy that belies his age.
Over the course of his 5 fights in 2022, Azim was in motion for simply 9 minutes and 21 seconds, with 4 falling inside the primary spherical and solely Rylan Charlton, who had been held up as a much-needed check, lasting into the second. He fell after 41 seconds of that.
Reyes is the primary undefeated opponent of Azim’s profession however the gulf in school between the pair might be evident. And, as a person who has grown accustomed to successful over the course of his 12-fight profession to this point, Reyes will not be adept at surviving. He may also be wild at instances which is able to play into Azim’s dynamite palms. The customer is unlikely to see three rounds right here.
It is usually an enormous night time for Zak Chelli, who has been out of the ring since June after his proposed combat with Lerrone Richards in November fell by means of when Richards pulled out on the date citing an sickness after the weigh in.
However Chelli has been handed the chance to make a real assertion right here as he takes on Indiana’s once-beaten Anthony Sims Jnr over 10 rounds. Chelli claimed the English super-middleweight title when he beat Germaine Brown final trip however he can have his palms full with Sims.
“Richards was ranked No.5 on the planet so after that every one occurred I simply informed them to get me anybody,” Chelli mentioned. “They went by means of just a few names in Britain, former British champions, all of them turned it down. So I mentioned ‘superb, get me somebody from overseas’. They got here together with Sims and I mentioned sure, I didn’t even know who he was.”
The 23-1 American was as soon as contracted to Matchroom and was one of many stars of their USA enterprise however he was crushed by Roamer Alexis Angulo in January 2020 and he has been rebuilding ever since. He drew a line beneath a 12 months of inactivity when he beat Antonio Dodd over eight in December so has some momentum behind him, plus much more expertise than Chelli.
He added: “Sims could have had extra fights than me however should you have a look at the rounds he’s solely carried out eight greater than, due to course he has stopped his opponents. I don’t suppose they’re as powerful within the US as they’re within the UK.
“He’s skilful however I can field and I can combat, I proved that in my final combat. I do each.”
It’s doubtless that Chelli is enhancing with each combat and he has received 5 on the bounce since shedding to Kody Davies on factors after which drawing with Jack Cullen. However regardless of that, it’s exhausting to select towards Sims right here if he turns up in form and centered. A factors win for the customer appears most certainly however with 20 inside-distance wins out of 23, a late stoppage can’t be dominated out.
At middleweight, Tyler Denny places his English title on the road towards Brad Pauls in what might be combat of the night time. Denny was final seen beating Brad Rea on factors in November which adopted on from his humdinger with River Wilson-Bent in Coventry 5 months earlier.
However the “Newquay Bomb” Pauls is 16-0 (9) and might be stuffed with confidence after getting his profession again on monitor during the last 14 months, The COVID period was not variety to Pauls, who didn’t field between November 2019 and October 2021 however he has received twice since. Given his efficiency towards Rea, nonetheless, Denny to win on factors right here is the choose.
Elsewhere, light-weight Caroline Dubois will try to proceed her serene development as knowledgeable in a step-up bout towards former Terri Harper sufferer Yamila Belen Abellaneda. The Argentinean was outpointed by Harper over 10 in March and will present stiffer opposition to Dubois than her final opponent, Sofia Rodriguez, who lasted precisely a minute.
Tottenham cruiserweight Viddal Riley can also be again in motion and will lengthen his 7-0 (4) report in fashion towards Watford’s Anees Taj. Following a two-year hiatus from the ring, Riley returned with a bang final 12 months racking up three wins with two fast in 2022. He might be hoping to be even busier this 12 months, beginning with Taj.
There are additionally outings for undefeated duo Jeamie Tshikeva (3-0) and Jordan Reynolds (4-0). The previous takes on Harry Armstrong whereas, on the time of writing, there was no specified opponent for Luton favorite Reynolds.
Dan Azeez was imagined to be on the invoice with a conflict towards France’s Thomas Faure for the vacant European light-heavyweight title set so as to add additional intrigue to the occasion. Sadly, that bout needed to be postponed when Azeez fell unwell with the flu in January and put his preparation again by just a few weeks.
