EXPLOSIVE super lightweight talent Adam Azim is gearing up for his 13th professional outing against seasoned veteran Sergey Lipinets on February 1.
The pair will headline a Sky Sports show at the Wembley Arena in London, England, with both combatants looking to claim the vacant IBO title.
Azim, 12-0 (9 KOs), comes off a dominant performance against dangerous puncher Ohara Davies, utilising his quicker feet and sharper reflexes to secure an emphatic eighth-round stoppage victory.
The 22-year-old not only showcased his tremendous speed and power but also displayed a degree of maturity, always controlling the distance with his authoritative jab.
In doing so, ‘The Assassin’ has cemented himself as one of the brightest prospects on British shores, with fans eagerly anticipating this next step in his promising career.
Lipinets, 18-3-1 (13 KOs), meanwhile, has only ever fallen short at world level, losing to Mikey Garcia and Jaron Ennis – two bona fide champions – as well as crafty operator Michel Rivera.
Last time out, the 35-year-old outpointed fellow veteran Robbie Davies Jr in an enthralling contest that saw him floor the Brit three times.
And so, with a win over Lipinets, Azim firmly believes that he could put himself in the shop window for a clash with IBF titlist Richardson Hitchins later this year.
“[Lipinets] puts me up to the world stage once I beat him,” Azim told Boxing News. “When you look at [Hitchins], I don’t think he’s that good.
“Look, I might fight Hitchins at the end of the year and win the IBF world title – that’s my plan.”
Hitchins dethroned Liam Paro last month, producing a comprehensive performance to claim his title on points.
But while the American remains on his radar, Azim equally acknowledges that a clash with domestic rival Dalton Smith is what British fans are desperate to see.
The pair have been on a collision course for the best part of a year, with Smith returning to action against Walid Ouizza later this month.
“You never know, Dalton Smith might go running trying to get [the IBF title] as well, so we’ll see how it goes,” Azim added.
