Rising Briton Adam ‘Assassin’ Azim scored a major victory on Saturday (1 Feb) stopping former IBF champion Sergey Lipinets in the ninth round in a ‘crossroads’ fight, and importantly, secured a ‘crossover’ to world level.
With fellow Pakistani-heritage and former world champion’s Amir Khan sitting ringside, along with Shawn Porter from the US, it was a statement victory in good company.
The 22 year old Azim dominated the tough and always advancing Lipinets through the completed rounds with strong hooks, uppercuts and impressive body attacks.
Azim looked to win every round on skill, power and output, but was on a tightrope coming into the ninth as he was earlier penalised for repetitive low blows, being deducted a point in both the fourth and seventh by referee Steve Gray, and forcing Azim to share them.
Another low blow could have been catastrophic as the small, compact physique of Kazakh Lipinets caused Azim to stray low on numerous occasions.
What was impressive was the manner in which Azim controlled the tempo of the fight remaining composed (albeit with the help of cornerman Shane McGuigan) between rounds. This bodes well for his future steps up the world ladder.
Azim, fighting out of Slough, England clearly possesses the power to take out opponents with his record lifted to 13-0 (10 KOs). Lipinets durability and ring-savvy brought him to the ninth round, but he was dropped twice en-route. The finish in the end was inevitable when Steve Gray called a halt after a relentless spell of Azim pressure.
Lipinets’ record dips to 18-4-1 (13 KOs) but, although on the slide, on this performance he was brave throughout and although battered and bruised will be a test for anyone who aspires to world level should he wish to continue in the higher echelons.
Azim captured the IBO super-lightweight championship. The first, of many more significant ‘world’ titles, on Saturday’s evidence.
The show was promoted by BOXXER and this could be a step to the eventual crowning of its second male world champion after Chris Billam-Smith was crowned WBO cruiserweight champion in 2023.
Azim is arguably in one of the toughest divisions in boxing (10st/140lbs) but should he continue in this vein there are big matches out there for him. Brits Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall are in the world top ten.
Although he called out Dalton Smith in a big domestic match post-fight, world level beckons on this performance.
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