Boxing

ADAM AZIM is on the brink of becoming one of the biggest names in British boxing.But unlike several prospects of yesteryear, the surging light-welterweight isn’t letting his new-found fame and success go to his head.
Adam Azim is on the cusp of becoming one of the star names in British boxingCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
The 20-year-old light-welterweight sensation has so far gone a perfect 7-0Credit: RICHARD PELHAM
Azim grew up watching British boxing great Amir Khan and counts him as one of his inspirationsCredit: Sky Sports
Azim hopes to win a world title quicker than hero Khan didCredit: JAMIE MCPHILIMEY
The 20-year-old has put himself on the cusp of being a household name with seven scintillating performances in just over two years.
And he’s hoping to continue his surge to European and world title contention by passing his toughest test to date on Saturday – a headline clash at Wembley arena against undefeated Nicaraguan Santos Reyes.
But Azim knows there is plenty of work left to do in order to fulfil his dream of becoming the first first-ever undisputed champion of Pakistani origin.
The slick Slough slugger told SunSport: “I keep my feet on the ground, I train hard and I do everything right.
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“If I keep a great lifestyle outside the ring, it will be easy in the fights.
“With me, when I get all this attention and get all this media, it doesn’t phase me – it comes with it. So if you’re doing very well, successfully, then you’ll get rewarded.”
British boxing great Amir Khan was a huge inspiration for Azim as a kid, although it’s a man ‘King Khan’ desperately tried to fight who holds the title of his favourite fighter.
He said: “[My favourite fighter] of all time? Floyd Mayweather. Floyd Mayweather is one of the best ever.
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“You can’t find anyone like him. He’s the only undefeated fighter and his mindset outside of the ring is incredible as well.
“So he’s my favourite fighter.”
But the shared Pakistani heritage with Khan – who he had the pleasure of seeing fight in person as a kid – is something he takes great pride in.
He said: “It played a big part in my life because when I was growing up, Amir Khan was an excelling fighter at the time.
“He was winning numerous titles, a world champion and he was a massive, massive name at the time.
“And I was in Manchester Arena watching his fight with my dad.
“And my dad said to me, ‘One day, you’re going to fight here.’
“And the funniest thing is, I fought on the Kell Brook and Amir Khan undercard and I got to meet Khan as well.
“And that was 14 years later. It shows that if you’re looking at someone, that you can also make it as well.
“And I want to be the next person inspiring the young generation and also inspire everyone.”
Azim was ringside for one of Amir Khan’s fights at the MEN Arena 14 years agoCredit: TWITTER@ADAMSUPERKID
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is Azim’s favourite fighter of all timeCredit: PA
Azim is on course to win a world title before he’s 22 – the age at which Khan got his hands on the WBA light-welterweight strap.
But he’s not obsessed with one-upping his idol, saying: “I want to win a world title at such a young age, but I don’t want to beat Khan.
“I don’t want to try to beat his record. But if I can, that’s a big statement.
“He’s inspired me and I want to win a world title at a young age. Hopefully next year.”
Despite his tender years, Azim is already a role model to kids in his local community and those, who like him, suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder.
He said: “It’s great and it’s inspiring for me as well because, throughout my career, I want to help people. And the one thing I had was ADHD.
“ADHD played a massive, massive part in my boxing career. And so far, ADHD has helped me so much to get me where I am.
Adam Azim will bid to remain unbeaten against Nicaragua’s Santos ReyesCredit: GETTY
“I can still switch it on in the ring. It’s like a thing where I get in the ring and I switch on just like that.”
Being able to manage the disorder, however, hasn’t always been easy for the soft-spoken Azim.
He admitted: “Before, it was a hassle and it was hard for me. I was a kid and everywhere and I used to mess about.
“I’ve done a few funny things when I was a little kid. But it’s helped me massively.”
Azim’s sights are set on claiming a European title, aspirations which he hopes to keep intact with a blowout victory over Reyes under the shadows of the famous Wembley arch.
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He said: “I want to get the knockout and I want to get a big performance on Saturday and show everyone what I’m about.
“The same way I’ve been handling my fights. The objective remains the same.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has opened up on what caused his post-fight rage following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. AJ was beaten by the Ukrainian master for the second time in the space of 11 months in Saudi Arabia last August.
Anthony Joshua after losing to Oleksandr UsykCredit: PA
And he went onto grab the microphone and produce a bizarre post-fight rant after throwing Usyk’s belts out of the ring.
Joshua – who had ex-opponent Wladimir Klitschko apologise for his actions – revealed being called “strong” triggered the anger.
He told BBC 5 Live: “There was certain things in the ring that was said – not excuses.
“But one of them was like, ‘You are big and strong – you’re strong.’
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“Remember, a lot of athletes from African-Caribbean community are told that they are strong and I feel like it’s quite kind of degrading because we don’t get mentioned about or talent.
“So when he said, I’m big and strong it was just like the alarm f*****g bells – sorry about my language. The alarm bells went off.
“So, there’s loads of things that are triggering me at the time. But it’s just pure and uncut emotion because it’s more than being big and strong – it’s passion, it’s drive, it’s work.”
Joshua, 33, now returns on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin, 29, the American beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
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AJ took the rest of 2022 off following his crushing loss and emotional breakdown.
And he reached out to boxing legend Klitschko, 46, the man he beat in 2017, to apologise to countryman Usyk, 36.
He said: “Listen, I’m not perfect and it’s not the right thing to have done.
“I didn’t speak to Usyk, I spoke to Wladimir, I said, ‘Look, give Usyk a pat on the shoulder, tell him well done and I apologise.
“Know what I’m saying? That’s man to man. But, it was just raw. Uncut and it may not make sense to a lot of people but it made a lot of sense to me.
“It was just how much it means to a degree. I thought I’d feel like that at the end of my career – when it’s said and done.
“I think that’s when I’ll just be like, ‘Wow, what a rollercoaster.'”
Joshua was also overcome with emotion after the realisation of missing out on a dream unification fight with Tyson Fury, 34.
He added: “I made it through the trenches but I feel like getting close to fighting for the undisputed title with Fury that people want so much.”
Anthony Joshua was held back after defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters More