Unbeaten British junior welterweight contender Adam Azim will face experienced Canadian challenger Steve Claggett at Wembley Arena on Saturday night, aiming to secure a world title opportunity by the end of the year.
Azim enters the 140-pound contest with a perfect 14-0 professional record containing 11 knockouts, following a 12th-round victory over Kurt Scoby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November.
Claggett holds a 40-8-2 record with 28 knockouts and has not been stopped since 2011, having previously pushed Teofimo Lopez to a points decision during a WBO world title challenge in June 2024.
Trainer's High Praise
Trainer Shane McGuigan expressed high praise for the 24-year-old British prospect ahead of the headline event at Wembley Arena.
"I've worked with many world champions and this guy supersedes them all in terms of ability," said McGuigan, who previously coached world champions such as Carl Frampton, Josh Taylor, George Groves, and Ellie Scotney.
"If he doesn't become a world champion I would be incredibly shocked," McGuigan added.
Azim's Confidence
Azim dismissed any concerns about his opponent's relentless pacing and conditioning ahead of the scheduled bout.
"[Claggett] doesn't realise my gas tank is probably better than his gas tank. I'm telling you right now, I'm the fittest guy in a boxing ring.
You're not going to get anyone fitter than me," Azim said.
The British fighter noted his motivation to surpass the performance of the current world-level contenders against the durable Canadian.
"Everyone knows Steve Claggett and he has been at world level before like in that Teofimo fight," Azim said.
"He gave Lopez a good fight that night so I just have to make sure I do a better job on him and that will speak for itself."
Azim aims to move quickly up the world rankings after a scheduled January fight against Gustavo Daniel Lemos for the IBF's number two spot was cancelled due to mutual injuries.
The current number seven IBF-ranked boxer expressed disappointment regarding the previous cancellation but remains focused on immediate title goals.
"That [was] the dream scenario," Azim said.
"Lemos pulled out first and then I had to pull out because I had an injury as well.
It was quite upsetting because it would have put me in position at No. 2 and I think Lemos would have been a great fight."
The IBF recently ordered top contender Lindolfo Delgado to face Arthur Biyarslanov for the vacant title following Richardson Hitchins' move up in weight.
"I win this fight, move higher up the rankings and take that slot," Azim said.
A future victory could also set up a domestic unification bout with WBC titleholder Dalton Smith, who defeated Subriel Matias in January.
"I could become world champion this year, hopefully that's the case.
It would mean I'd be a world champion at 24 after 16 fights which would be an incredible achievement.
It's a fast pace to be going at," Azim said.
The domestic matchup would represent the first British world title unification since David Haye fought Enzo Maccarinelli in 2008.
"We will see if it's something we rekindle but it might not happen because after this fight I want to be fighting for a world title," Azim said.
The broadcast of the event on the BBC platform is expected to further elevate the profile of both young British fighters.
"If I win a world title and he's already got one, then that is a massive unification," Azim said.
"I don't think Britain has had a unification that big for quite a while now. Two Britons going at it."
Both fighters successfully weighed in below the 140-pound championship limit before their brief final pre-fight face-off.
Promoter Ben Shalom emphasized that the Canadian challenger represents a significant increase in competitive difficulty for Azim.
"We believe he can become a world champion this year and it doesn't happen without a win on Saturday night," Shalom said.
"This is the biggest fight. This is the one before we believe he will fight for a world title."
Shalom pointed out that Claggett is entering the contest in peak form following consecutive knockout performances.
"This is his toughest test against a guy in great form, coming off two knockout wins who has a lot more experience than Adam, and he's going to really stick it on him," Shalom said.
The 36-year-old Canadian challenger kept his statements brief during the final pre-fight news conference in London.
"I came here with one job and I plan on seeing it all the way through," Claggett said.
"I put my whole life into this game and I'm ready to show it on fight night."
