Adam Azim’s “stardust” can take him all the best way to the highest in boxing, together with his performances paying homage to Prince Naseem Hamed, in response to Johnny Nelson.
Azim received the European super-lightweight title on Saturday in simply his tenth skilled combat, dominating Franck Petitjean in improbable type at The Halls in Wolverhampton.
The 21-year-old’s velocity and vitality was taxing for Petitjean from the beginning, as a part of an excellent show.
Sky Sports activities Boxing’s Nelson was effusive in his reward on Monday, likening Azim to Prince Naseem – who held a number of featherweight world championships from 1995 to 2000, and was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in 2015.
“It was managed, it was mature,” Nelson mentioned.
“He had developed a lot from his final two or three fights. A few fights in the past I believed he was somewhat bit inexperienced, there’s nonetheless a number of holes in his armoury and he is nonetheless studying on the job. However this combat right here he was on level, he was sturdy, he was sharp, he was targeted, he wasn’t intimidated.
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Azim celebrates together with his European title on Saturday after dominating Franck Petitjean
“His tempo was ridiculous, and that backflip was ridiculous. Nevertheless it’s effectively deserved and all the pieces I’ve seen about Adam from being a younger boy.
“He mentioned he obtained into boxing as a result of he had ADHD. You recognize, he simply could not preserve nonetheless. However he discovered boxing and that targeted him to be to be the individual he’s as we speak. No nonsense sort of child.
“At 21 years previous I’ve seen it earlier than with fighters. I believe he is obtained stardust written throughout him. The journey he is on, it jogs my memory of Naz’s (Naseem Hamed) journey. He may not have the Naz character, however he has the punch energy he had, the thrill, he has a fan base behind him. It was really a great evening and I believed it was going to be a tricky evening for him.
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Azim was topped European champion on Saturday and you’ll watch footage from contained in the ropes of his blistering stoppage win
“I do imagine he could be a world champion. We did The Gloves Are Off with him, Viddal Riley, Caroline Dubois, Ben Whittaker and these guys sat there they usually referred to as themselves The Avengers as a result of they have expertise, they have potential world titles, they have the subsequent in written throughout them.
“Adam was very quiet, very cool, very matter-of-fact. His ambitions are the champions on the market now, and that most likely will not occur for perhaps 18 months, two years. However to even assume that method, he places himself in that class and I believe European stage will probably be a distant reminiscence.
“I keep in mind when Naz did it, he boxed for a European title after which when he obtained into the world scene it wasn’t as a giant deal, and I believe Adam’s going to be that very same sort of fighter.”
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Azim says his win over Petitjean to change into European champion takes him to the subsequent stage and feels it was his most ‘mature’ efficiency but
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Watch all of Azim’s brutal knockouts in his profession thus far
Azim has revealed beforehand how Amir Khan represents one in every of his heroes.
For Nelson although, a likeness to Naz fairly than Khan is extra obvious.
“He would not really [remind me of a young Amir Khan],” Nelson mentioned.
“It is a combine between a younger Amir Khan and Prince Naseem Hamed as a result of Amir Khan, his punch output was ridiculous. However Adam appears to be a extra highly effective puncher than Amir Khan.
“In comparison with Naz, I believe he has the punch energy, may not have that one knockout punch for the time being, however the one distinction is he isn’t obtained the Naz character. He is a peaceful level-headed younger man. So he is making his personal path.
“To be impressed by individuals like Amir Khan and Prince Naseem and other people like that. It is a good thing, an excellent begin and an excellent line to need to cross.”