George Kambosos Jr hits out at Adam Azim following social media call out

Former unified lightweight world champion George Kambosos Jr has seemingly turned down Adam Azim's advances for a September showdown, telling the British star to 'take a risk' by calling out a reigning 140lbs title-holder.

The British fighter made a beeline for Kambosos Jr on social media over the weekend, challenging the Australian to a clash on September 25 just hours after his heavy stoppage defeat at the hands of Richardson Hitchins in New York.

Azim had hoped to further solidify his position on the world stage by adding Eliot Chavez's name to his hit-list earlier this month, having captured the IBO super-lightweight title with an impressive TKO victory over Sergey Lipinets in February.

However, the dust-up with the Mexican was dramatically pulled from the Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco undercard just hours before the event got underway after it came to light that Chavez had made use of a sauna to make weight - a practice strictly prohibited by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The cancellation of the bout has left BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom seeking a new opponent for his highly-regarded British prospect, with Azim subsequently taking matters into his own hands by publicly calling out the 32-year-old following a social media post from BoxingScene, asking 'what's next for the Aussie?'

Azim, who was quick to reply to the post, responded: “@GeorgeKambosos let’s get it on - Sept 25," however, the former lightweight ruler has put any notion of that fight to bed, instead name-checking four potential opponents for the former Team GB star to cast his attentions toward.

"All the best young pup, don't worry about me, I've been multiple times where you dream of getting to," Kambosos Jr posted on X (formerly Twitter).

I'm off to go and spend all my millions, but here's a tip, maybe call out guys like Teo (Teofimo Lopez), (Devin) Haney, (Richardson (Hitchins) - the current champions at 140, like I did!

- George Kambosos Jr (X)

"Don't worry about your '0' young fella, take the risk like me.

"There's another guy that's managed by my father, Artur Biyarslanov, 19-0, top 10 in the world as well, rumour has it you turned him down already. Bit worried about the Chechen?

"Take the risks brother, trust me it will help you in the future even if you lose that '0'.

"You're young, Artur (Biyarslanov) vs Adam (Azim), why not?"

13-0 star Azim has long been linked with a blockbuster clash with domestic super-lightweight rival Dalton Smith, but despite numerous discussions between the two parties an agreement has not yet been reached.

Smith, who is represented by Matchroom, was quizzed last week as to whether a breakthrough in talks could be made in time for a long-speculated affair later this year.

"It doesn't look like it," he told Sky Sports, before adding: "Win the world title and those fights will be there.

"It takes two to tango. I've been there to tango. But it's on their behalf now - I am sure that our time will come!"

Mark Mothershaw

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