ADAM AZIM scored a brilliant TKO win over Sergey Lipinets as he overcame the toughest test of his career.
The build up to the super-lightweight fight descended into chaos with BOTH fighters initially missing the weight before making it.
Azim dominated the fight but had to overcome a bit of adversity as he was docked TWO points for continuous low blows.
The Assassin, 22, let out a roar at the end of the fight as he was held aloft by trainer Shane McGuigan.
- Start time: From 7pm
- Main event Expected 10pm
- TV channel/ live stream: Sky Sports + and Sky Sports Main Event
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Azim on his performance
In his post-fight interview, Azim said: “The first knockdown, I dint know I hit him. I had to be patient.
“To be world class, you have to be patient. He’s a very big puncher and I’ve got so much respect for him.
“He was going really low, I couldn’t see where his belt was, he was small, it was so hard for me to place the shot.
“But I had to stop them, Shane said ‘if you do that again, I’ll make you do 100 burpees in the gym’.
“I was working on inside fighting with Shane in the gym. It’s really hard to see Lipinets go like that.”
Johnny Nelson
Former world champ Nelson told Sky Sports: “What a disciplined mature performance.
“Cool, patient, kept his pace.
“Adam stayed disciplined and let the shots go. He had to be careful as Lipinets tried to throw over the top.
“But I though, you have now graduated.”
More from Azim
He said: “My performance was great, I had to keep calm.
“I had to be patient at this world-class level.
“I broke him down, he was really dangerous at the start and I respect him so much.
“It was upsetting to see Lipinets go out like that because he is a legend.
“Dalton Smith better be watching because I am coming for him. You aint that good.
“That fight is marinating and when I fight him, I will teach him a lesson.”
Dalton Smith next?
Adam Azim had one name on his mind for his next fight…
“Dalton Smith you better watch out mate – I’m coming baby,” he said.
“When I do fight him I’m going to teach him a lesson!”
Azim roars
Shane McGuigan jumps into the ring and lifts Azim off his feet as The Assassin looks delighted!
He jumps onto the canvas and punches the ground, letting out a huge roar – he’s delighted with that one!
Azim wins!
Superb win from Adam Azim and – we must stay – an excellent intervention from the referee.
That was only going one way and he stopped it before Lipinets could take serious damage.
What a brilliant win and the 22-year-old’s star continues to rise.
Azim vs Lipinets – R9
Azim steams out of the corner and lands three massive uppercuts to start the round!
The crowd are on their feet!
Azim lands a couple more and Lipinets refuses to go down – but it’s clear this is over, the ref is in and ENDS it!
Azim wins!
Azim vs Lipinets – R8
Azim does forget the downstairs and lands a beautiful uppercut that shook Lipinets.
Now it’s Lipinets’ turn to throw a low blow and send Azim walking away to the corner.
Hurting the rhythm of the fight this is, but Azim is still looking very good.
Lipinets is starting to lose a bit of steam in this fight, Azim looks much more comfortable .
They go in close again and Azim catches him with a beautiful uppercut that has the crowd purring.
Azim then sends Lipinets stumbling with another big right but the Kazakh has a quick jog but stays on his feet!
Azim chases him but the bell just comes in time to save Lipinets.
Azim vs Lipinets – R7
Azim goes for a different look in the round – he’s spent most of the fight so far keeping Lipinets ar distance.
But Azim gets straight into the phonebox with his opponent and goes head-to-head, shoulder-to-shoulder with Lipinets – and looks good doing it.
Just as he’s looking comfortable, oh dead – yet ANOTHER low blow.
This one sends Lipinets to the floor and the ref has no option but to take yet another point from Azim.
Azim is well ahead on rounds, and has the knockdown, but taking points off his score is making this much closer than it needs to be.
After the break, Azim returns to the pocket and has the better of the exchanges.
Another round in. In the corner and trainer Shane McGuigan sends a very clear message: “It’s done now… stop going downstairs.”
Azim vs Lipinets – R6
Lipinets comes in for an exchange and Azim lands a nice uppercut, overhand left combo, although it isn’t flush and the damage is minimal.
He next lands that left counter-hook with textbook precision and looks like Azim is just trying to push the pace.
Notably, he hasn’t thrown as many body shots in that round as he did previously – the referee’s words are probably ringing in his ears.
Great work from The Assassin and, for me, that’s another round in the books.
Azim vs Lipinets – R5
Scrappy round from both fighters there.
Lipinets is trying to pick up his own tempo but Azim doesn’t react and just backs off to stay in control.
Lipinets continues to walk forward but Azim plants a lovely counter on him to make him think twice about that next time.
Yet ANOTHER low blow comes in and Lipinets is given yet more time to recover.
No point off that time but there is a very strict word for Azim – that will be another point off next time, the ref says.
Azim vs Lipinets – R4
Azim measured to start the fourth, he’s not quite unloading or looking for the kill just yet.
That left hook to the body proves fruitful again before the ref then has to give Azim another warning about going too low – he’s got to be careful with that.
More good stuff here as he lands a lovely uppercut and then goes close with a viscous left that just misses its target.
Azim plants his feet and lets off a three-punch combo – glancing blocking.
Oh no – well, there you go – another low blow from Azim sends Lipinets walking away into the corner.
The ref has had enough of it and takes a point off Azim. Let’s hope that’s not too costly.
Azim has won all four rounds, including a 10-8 in round three, but that round will have to be scored 9-9.
Azim vs Lipinets – R3
Azim has just upped the pace a little bit and Lipinets in that high guard is leaving the body open again and again.
Azim smashes in a lovely left hook to the body that has Lipinets just grimacing for a brief moment.
Lipinets continues to come forward though – and that proves his undoing!
Azim smashes out a beautiful counter-left that puts Lipinets onto his back.
He beats the count but Azim is now smelling blood here!
Lipinets survives the round but Azim will fancy a KO very soon.
Azim vs Lipinets – R2
The second starts much the same as the first, with both men pawing out some jabs as they just work each other out.
Azim unloads a right but doesn’t catch flush and then catches Lipinets with a nice left to the body.
Lipinets has a very high and tight guard and is throwing out a crisp jab.
But that leaves his body slightly open and Azim lands a night right to the mid-section.
Azim throws out another low jab and Lipinets turns to the ref – and Azim gets another word.
2-0 to the Brit on my card.
Azim vs Lipinets – R1
We’re underway at Wembley Arena!
Lipinets gets off to a positive start with a couple of nice jabs and feints before Azim throws out a couple of jabs of his own just to test his opponent.
The 22-year-old rising star is going to the body early and continually here – and the ref tells him to be a bit careful with one of those as it was a bit low.
Nice round of Azim who unloads a quick one-two at the end of the round.
Azim entrance
Adam Azim is now in the ring as well, let’s get ready for action.
Ring walk time
Here we go! Sergey Lipinets is making his way to the ring now – we’re less than 10 minutes away!
Amir Khan and Shawn Porter ringside
Sky Sports had a quick word with two boxing legends.
Khan said: “I think it’s a massive fight for Adam.
“It’s a big test, Lipinets is a tasty fighter.
“He needs to stick to the game plan and I think he gets it done.
“Second British-Pakistani world champion, how good does that sound?”
Porter added: “He’s making a splash in the States – not too big, we’ve got to give him some time.
“But this fight will get him some looks.”
The main event
Sadly, Wally has to trot off and right a big fight report – which means I’m behind the wheel for the big one.
We’re not far away now.
Just time to make a cup of tea I reckon.
Barnstormer
The British and Commonwealth champ says: “I coped alright, I got caught with a few daft shots because I was too eager.
“My coach has already told me I am in trouble when I am next in training.
“Fair play to him, he was a soldier, he lived up to his nickname and was tough.
“I didn’t perform as well as I can but I got the job done and my brilliant fans have made a 400-mile round trip.”
Elvis sure can dance
Ahorgah may have lost to Callum Simpson but he made a lasting impressive…
Simpson wins TKO R5
The Barnsley champ lands a few clips clean but they only encourage Ahorgah.
The challenger never stops marching forward but he walks on to a hook that rocks him to the floor.
Elvis bounces back up to his feet by Simpson steams in and drops him again before the ref waves it off.
Simpson v Ahorgah R4
Ahorgah looked a novice push-over in the first round but he has grown into a serious threat.
Simpson lands plenty but cannot put a dent in the Ghana brawler.
Callum Simpson is going to need to be more clever and varied if he is going to stop this super-fit and durable character.
Simpson v Ahorgah R3
Elvis is a showman!
Ahorgah throws a couple of crazy haymakers and then showboats with a lairy shuffle.
Simpson is in with a live opponent and they are going to war.
Ahorgah whacks himself around the head a couple of times and attacks again.
Ahorgah spots a US boxing legend in the front row of the crowd and yells “SHAWN PORTER!” just before the bell goes!
Simpson v Ahorgah R2
Ahorgah leaps in with a lead left hook but Simpson blocks it.
The challenger tries the Tyson-esque blow again but gets whacked back.
Ahorgah backs off and orders Simpson to attack him, then hurls another left hook his way.
Simpson needs to be careful because this rough and raw challenger is unpredictable.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
