Adam Azim admits the opportunity to witness stablemate Chris Billam-Smith fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming world champion at such close quarters will serve as an inspiration to his own quest for super-lightweight domination.
The supremely talented 20-year-old watched on from ringside as 3/1 outsider Billam-Smith upset the apple cart in his hometown of Bournemouth by prizing away Lawrence Okolie’s WBO cruiserweight strap on an enthralling night of boxing on the south coast last weekend.
The former British and Commonwealth title holder produced a career-best performance to end Okolie’s reign - and inflict a first professional defeat upon the Londoner - in front of a 15,000 strong crowd at the Vitality Stadium.
Speaking to bet365’s resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt, Azim, who is gearing up for his latest outing against Aram Fanyam later this month, was full of adulation for the manner in which Billam-Smith prevailed.
“Chris Billam-Smith, world champion – that is a massive achievement!” the unbeaten 8-0 fighter told Tebbutt.
“Chris is my inspiration, and I look at him now and one day that is going to be me. What an amazing performance it was; I am so proud of him.
“I was so impressed with his patience, he didn’t get wild in there. Lawrence came to hold, but Chris just worked so well on the inside and dropped Lawrence with that left hook.
“Just being at ringside and taking this all in is incredible, and as I say, hopefully it is going to be me one day.”
View the latest news and betting tips as Adam Azim gets set for his in-ring return at London's York Hall.
The Assassin is gearing up for his ninth professional outing later this month, as he gets set for a step up in class against the dangerous Ukrainian Aram Fanyan – an opponent who will arrive at the iconic York Hall venue boasting an impressive 22-1 record.
Whilst the bout is expected to provide Azim his toughest challenge within the professional ranks to date, the Slough-born KO artist is targeting yet another dazzling performance at the top of BOXXER’s latest fight card.
“Hopefully you are all going to see another cracking night of boxing, an explosive performance and hopefully another knockout,” he added.
“It’s the next step of my journey towards hopefully selling out stadiums like Chris, and capturing a world title!”