THE RESULT: Adam Azim secured the eighth stoppage victory of his career but this was not one for the highlight reel as Enock Poulsen, the challenger for his old European light-welterweight belt, was forced to take a knee with a shoulder problem late in the fifth round. The referee had no choice but to count the Zambia-born Dane out as he held his right arm out in agony. Poulsen later confirmed this was a recurrence of a previous injury.
KEY MOMENTS: In truth, this was a reasonably uneventful fight through four rounds, with Azim using his reach advantage to good use, keeping the 31-year-old visitor outside of range and lining him up with hard singles and doubles. However, Poulsen had never really been troubled until his right shoulder appeared to pop out in the fifth which meant the end of the contest.
RECORDS: What a miserable way for Poulsen to lose his undefeated record. This TKO means he is now 14-1 (5). Azim, meanwhile, remains perfect at 11-0 with eight of those quick.
TALKING POINT: Although there were not many fireworks during the contest, Azim should be commended for the way in which he controlled a previously undefeated opponent who had turned up in London genuinely believing he would be leaving with the European title among his luggage.
QUOTABLE: Azim said: “As the fight was progressing I was going to get him out of there, I knew it was coming. But then his shoulder popped, it is what it is. Respect to him, he’s an undefeated champion. He couldn’t get past my jab. I’m a bit gutted because I wanted to press on and get him out of there properly.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Azim was obligated to face Poulsen in this fight so it is unlikely he will have a mandatory for his European title called just yet. There are, as ever, options on the domestic 140lb scene in the form of Harlem Eubank and Dalton Smith, however the latter is due to face Jose Zepeda next month. Victory there could theoretically set up a huge clash between him and Azim but broadcaster politics might make it impossible. Ben Shalom, however, said they will now look towards the ‘international scene’ for a big fight in May.
