ADAM AZIM will fight Dalton Smith this yr nevertheless it won’t occur subsequent, based on his promoter Ben Shalom.
Smith has been put in as necessary challenger for Azim’s European light-welterweight title and a handbag bid has been known as for April 1.
The pair have each been steadily climbing the ranks however are aligned with completely different promoters with Azim signed to Boxxer and Smith with Matchroom.
However, the EBU pushed the pair collectively and Azim should relinquish the European title he received by beating Franck Petitjean final yr if he decides in opposition to dealing with Smith subsequent.
Now his promoter Shalom has opened the door to that chance insisting Azim’s subsequent fight will probably be in opposition to the opponent that makes essentially the most sense for his profession.
On the purse bid, Shalom instructed Boxing News: “I believe if Adam needs the fight subsequent, then we are going to go large. But finally it is going to be as much as him and his staff and we are going to communicate to them this week to see whether or not that’s the subsequent fight or one for later in the yr.
“We wish to make the fight and it’ll go wherever one of the best place is and often meaning who can pay for it. It’s positively a fight we wish to see this yr however finally it would find yourself with Team Azim whether or not they see that fight as subsequent.
“His aim is to become a world champion so I don’t think being European is the driving force for anything really. I think his focus is deciding what is the right fight next, who is the right opponent.”
Should Azim and his supervisor and head coach Shane McGuigan choose to vacate the title and field somebody apart from Smith, they are going to be accused of ducking the undefeated Sheffield man.
Smith, in the meantime, has to get previous Jose Zepeda on March 23 however they are going to be pushing exhausting for the Azim fight ought to he achieve success.
Shalom stated: “There are arguments for and in opposition to taking the fight. Sometimes I’m the one which’s blamed however the causes could be, he’s 21. He’s had a fast rise however he needs the massive nights down the road. It could be that his profile is in a special place to Dalton Smith, no disrespect to him, and informal followers know who Adam Azim is. I can see why numerous fighters wish to fight him.
“His staff may resolve that given he’s solely 21 and nonetheless studying that there are extra appropriate fights on the market for him at this stage.
“As a boxing fan, I want to see this fight next but his team will make a decision on whether it’s the next fight or whether it’s later in the year. It’s inevitable it’s going to happen, similar to Wardley-Clarke one, it’s ultimately down to the team as to when it happens.”
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