Azim beats Davies with commanding 8th-round KO
October 19, 2024, 5:20 PM Eastern Time
LONDON -- Adam Azim's rise in the junior welterweight division continued on Saturday, as he secured a knockout victory over Ohara Davies in London.
At only 22 years old, Azim has achieved another remarkable win over an experienced rival.
At 33 years old, Davies shared his thoughts with Sky Sports, saying that this fight might be his final one. He mentioned, "I'm in good shape and still mentally sharp. I believe this could mark the conclusion of my boxing journey, and I'm pleased that it was against Adam Azim."
Azim (12-0, 9 KOs) knocked Davies down in Round 5 when he landed a solid shot to the body, causing Davies to go down on one knee. As the fight progressed, Davies (25-4, 18 KOs) endured increasing punishment and was knocked down once more in Round 8 by a left hook to the head. He was unable to recover in time, and Azim secured another impressive victory.
Azim aimed to take control right from the start, swiftly utilizing his powerful left hand, which has been the downfall of many of his past rivals in his brief professional journey.
By Round 4, he began to put together some effective combinations, but he still couldn't erase the grin from the lively Davies.
Despite the circumstances, Azim kept his cool, effectively utilizing his jab and picking the right times to make his moves.
Though it ultimately resulted in a solid victory, this match marked a meaningful challenge for Azim as he faced an opponent who is a decade older than him. Davies brings a wealth of experience, having fought alongside notable boxers such as Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall.
There has been a lot of talk about a potential matchup between Azim and his unbeaten compatriot, Dalton Smith. However, Azim mentioned that he will wait for the right moment to make that fight happen.
"He's simply hurrying things along. I'm not afraid of a matchup; it would be great if it became a main event," Azim stated. "When I finally face him, I plan to give him a reality check. I'm fed up with him discussing me ... it’s going to be risky for him."
Promoter Ben Shalom shared his fighter's views, stating: "Adam Azim is fully capable on his own. He will attract plenty of opponents eager to challenge him. I truly believe he is a leading name in this country's division. Everyone will be looking for that major fight, but we’ll wait for the timing to be right for us."
In the preliminary matches, former light heavyweight title contender Anthony Yarde secured a victory over Ralfs Vilcans by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 98-92.
It seemed like the fight would wrap up quickly when Yarde (26-3, 24 KOs) knocked down his opponent in the first few seconds. However, the London fighter wasn't able to take advantage of that early success. Vilcans (17-1, 7 KOs) bounced back nicely and had several opportunities to shine during the match.
