Adam Azim aims to win the European championship on Saturday and catapult himself into world title contention next year.
Azim challenges Frenchman Franck Petitjean for the European super-lightweight belt, live on Sky Sports.
Victory at that level in only his 10th professional fight would be a major milestone in itself in Azim’s career.
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Dan Azeez and Natasha Jonas praise Azim’s previous performances ahead of his fight against Franck Petitjean
But the European title has also so often been the springboard to world championship success.
And Azim is already highly ranked by the WBA, sitting at No 9 in their 140lbs ratings. US superstar Ryan Garcia is currently their No 4.
Garcia succumbed to Gervonta Davis at a lower weight but has dazzled in other fights, particularly his knockout win over GB Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell.
“You’ve got great names there, you’ve got Ryan Garcia,” Azim said of the WBA rankings. “So I’m among them. That’s one fight down the line I’d like to take, probably get revenge for Luke Campbell as well!
“That would be great one day, to win a world title in America and hopefully beat him in America.”
Azim certainly expects to see Garcia figure in the super-lightweight world title mix in 2024.
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Azim, Ben Whittaker, Viddal Riley and Caroline Dubois call out their next opponents on The Gloves Are Off: The Takeover
“He’s good enough to beat anybody because he’s got a good resume,” the Slough fighter said of Garcia. “He’s got that experience.”
Azim though is ambitious. He would like to win a world title first, then have a dream fight with Garcia.
“It would be nice if I could get there before,” he said. “That would be great.”
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Azim picks up an important win by defeating Aram Fanyan via unanimous decision in Manchester
That is a question for the future. Right now he must focus on Petitjean and what promises to be a special night on Saturday.
“It’s going to be very exciting, the atmosphere’s going to be brilliant. There’s going to be 3,500 people in there so there’s going to be a massive roar in that arena,” Azim said. “Once the atmosphere gets busier and louder, I get going.
“So it’s going to be great.”
Watch Franck Petitjean vs Adam Azim live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Saturday night. Stream boxing and more with NOW.