Adam Azim is closing in on a world title shot at 140lbs, courtesy of his three-round demolition job against former Teofimo Lopez opponent Steve Claggett.
It was a truly destructive display last Saturday, with ‘The Assassin’ showing no sympathy as he ruthlessly dismantled his 36-year-old opponent.
For balance, it is fair to say Claggett was somewhat flattered by having taken Lopez the distance in 2024; other than showing considerable durability, he was largely outclassed by an out-of-sorts ‘Takeover’.
But still, the manner in which Azim went about his business was nothing short of impressive, offering the impression that he is ready for a notable step-up fight.
As it happens, the 24-year-old is targeting a shot at the vacant IBF title, which is set to be contested by top contenders Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov.
Both would pose a significant test for Azim, well above the level at which he has been competing, with Delgado, a Robert Garcia-trained Mexican, representing a sturdy counterpuncher with raw strength, while Biyarslanov adopts an awkward southpaw style to facilitate his sneaky power.
Of the two unbeaten super-lightweights, Azim would perhaps rather face Delgado, whose patient style could reveal greater openings for his blistering attacks.
Biyarslanov, meanwhile, possesses similar footwork to Delgado but, crucially, is a far more potent puncher than any of Azim’s previous opponents.
Regardless of his potential dance partner, though, Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom is attempting to accelerate Azim’s world title charge, seemingly by lobbying the IBF to replace him with Biyarslanov.
The sanctioning body has already ordered Delgado-Biyarslanov for their vacant title, giving both sides until June 26 to reach a deal.
Shalom, however, seems to think a step-aside deal can be made, allowing Azim to leapfrog Biyarslanov - who would, in turn, become mandatory challenger to the winner of Delgado-Azim - and secure an immediate IBF title shot.
"I don’t think there’s any money in [Delgado-Biyarslanov]," Shalom told media members after Azim’s third-round stoppage of Claggett.
"I think there’s an opportunity there, so we’ll be getting on [the phone to the IBF].
Adam is the commercial star in those IBF rankings. He’s just behind the two that have been ordered for a world title, so I hope to make [the world title fight] next.
- Ben Shalom (Boxxer CEO)
"He’s in line to either fight the winner or [we’ll agree a] step-aside [deal] and fight for [the IBF title] next. It’s already been agreed with the IBF that he’s next in line."
If the respective teams of Delgado and Biyarslanov have not inked a deal by June 26 then, as per the IBF’s rules, the fight will be farmed out to the highest-bidding promoter.
It may be that an agreement has already been reached, though, as the promoters of Delgado (Top Rank) and Biyarslanov (Eye of the Tiger) are no strangers to collaborating on business deals.
Given the likelihood of this, it is perhaps more realistic to expect an IBF title eliminator for Azim’s next outing, possibly against sixth-ranked contender Gabriel Valenzuela.
The only remaining fighters ranked above Azim (No.7) and Valenzuela are Oscar Duarte - who is currently injured and, in any case, is likely to pursue alternative options, given that he shares a gym with Delgado - and Keyshawn Davis, who has expressed his desire to move up to 147lbs.
But Valenzuela, again, could pose a tough assignment for Azim, given that he lost a contentious split decision to Delgado - against whom he scored a 12th-round knockdown - last November, and is generally a credible opponent for any fringe-world level fighter.
It would appear, then, that Azim is set to be afforded no gimme fights in the foreseeable future.
