Adam Azim wants to face his biggest rivals next year

ADAM Azim laid out the beginnings of a career road map last night after defeating Ohara Davies in the Copper Box Arena. Azim used his speed, jab and patient boxing brain to break down, bust up, drop and stop a brave but outgunned opponent.

After putting Davies down for the second and final time, Sky Sports’ interviewer Andy Scott asked Azim, arm-in-arm with his victim, what he wanted to do next. There are a couple of natural opponents waiting in the wings, including one who he was already supposed to fight before Ohara got the call to step in.

“I want to fight Dalton Smith next year. I want to fight Harlem Eubank next year,” stated Azim. “But guess what? He’s [Ohara Davies] tougher than all these others. This guy’s the best.”

Having shared a gym in the past and knowing one another before the fight, the pair had mutual respect. Ohara Davies has boxed around the world level in the past, but despite his rugged toughness and early awkwardness, he offered little here to trouble Azim. Davies competed with credit, swinging away while his nose gushed blood. Davies has a history with nose injuries, and a similar complaint hurt his chances of beating Josh Taylor.

“I don’t think I’m tougher than him, I think I’m probably more experienced than him,” Davies responded to Azim.

“You ain’t gonna fight anyone as experienced as me right now. I laughed at you, I spoke to you in the fight, I tried to do my thing to get under your skin. You’ve got a good jab. Listen to your coaches.”

Davies hinted that he would now retire. That would seem to be the logical next move, but in the heat of the moment, it is hard to take these comments at face value from any fighter. Davies also poured cold water on Azim’s future plans, saying he should seek more experience instead of rushing in.

“The Dalton Smith fight, the Harlem Eubank fight, it can wait, it can wait. It don’t need to happen now. Build yourself up and then it’ll be a mega fight. This fight don’t need to happen right now. Build up against guys like me and then you get your experience,” cautioned Davies.