Adam Azim is “not far from” disliking boxing superstars Gervonta “the tank” Davis and Ryan Garcia, according to his trainers Shane McGuigan.
The 22-year-old Brit is set to continue his charge towards the top of the sport when he takes on the former world champion in Lipinete in London on Saturday.
Azim has won all 12 of his professional bouts to date, with his ninth knockout win – the last against Ohara Davies in October – suggesting he has plenty more to come.
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Highlights from a super light cover between Adam Azim and Ohare Davies
McGuigan said Sky Sports: “As we saw with the O'Hara fight, it was all stuff that we've been working on in the gym for years and years that just came to light.
“Now that he has the confidence to be able to execute people, working near eight-ounce gloves, against a puncher like O'Hara – that's always been the danger with O'Hara, he's technically limited as well, but he's also had that power. But Adam looked comfortable there.
“And now we have another guy who carries some decent power, was a former world champion, only beaten by the top fighters in the division. It's a huge step for him, but it's also the start of a massive 2025. I think if he gets a stoppage win, then it really puts him on the map.
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A new corner of the rings appeared Adam Azim landing a huge body taped to the fall of Ohara Davies in their October termination
“It's a stacked division at 140. You've got Tank Davis, you've got Ryan Garcia, a lot of massive names and I don't think he's far off.”
Davis, the WBA lightweight world champion, is one of boxing's pound-for-pound stars, amassing a 30-0 record with 28 knockouts, including a stoppage of Garcia in 2023.
“Azim will be one of Britain's best ever fighters”
McGuigan has trained several world champions, including David Haye, George Groves, Carl Frampton and Josh Taylor, but insists Azim has the potential to be one of the skills ambassadors.
“I'm more confident now than ever that Adam Azim is going to be a superstar, he's going to be one of the best fighters we've ever had, honestly,” McGuigan said.
“What I see in the gym is terrifying. I've seen fighters come through, Josh Taylor, other world champions, two-weight world champions and I've never seen what I see in the gym – this kid in particular.
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Adam Azim says Sergey Lipinets has never faced anyone like him before and vows to take down his Kazakh opponent on February 1
“He didn't really present that, he didn't have an opponent to show what he is capable of, but we will continue to climb the ladder, which will show more.
“You get a lot of fighters who look great when they're at that low level and they get that time and space, they look sensational, but then when someone closes the gap and starts to fight the dog, they fold.
“He's the opposite, he thrives on that and he's going to look sensational in the next fight and for the next 12 months.”
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