Joe Hughes boxed for the European super-lightweight title 4 occasions in two years throughout his profession. On Saturday evening (November 18) Slough’s Adam Azim containers for the identical belt in opposition to Franck Petitjean. In his newest column for Boxing News the former champion discusses Azim and takes a visit down reminiscence lane wanting again at his 4 EBU title fights.
I HAVEN’T watched a great deal of Adam Azim or Franck Petitjean, however I’ve seen extra of Azim. I do know Petitjean’s been round some time, and he’s skilled. He’s been round the block, he’s fought some good fighters, he’s received and misplaced in opposition to a few of them, so he’s an excellent check for Azim.
I nonetheless think Azim is an unknown amount. I’m fairly shocked he’s bought a shot at this Not the Average Joe: “I don’t think Adam Azim is what they are making him out to be” so early in his profession. It’s his first authentic title and it’s the European, however I assume his staff imagine in him sufficient that he’s prepared to step up and bypass home stage. Either that or their considering is we will make numerous noise if he wins, but when he loses, we’ve bought excuses to fall again on resembling age and expertise.
I’m a bit old school and like to see fighters progress historically, combating for the English, British after which transfer on. This is a check, I suppose, as a result of he’s not fought anybody close to Petitjean’s calibre. I do know they tried to construct up his final opponent [Aram Faniian], however he wasn’t of the commonplace of a reputable European opponent, in my view. I haven’t been as impressed by Azim as these making all the hype round him. Not to say he’s not that good however you could have to show it. To me, I don’t think he is what they are making him out to be. But we’ll possibly get a greater concept in his subsequent struggle.
I received the European super-lightweight title practically 5 years in the past at my second time of making an attempt in opposition to Andrea Scarpa in Italy. The first time I boxed for the EBU title it was in opposition to Anthony Yigit. I had simply come off a draw in opposition to Tyrone Nurse for the British title in a struggle the place most individuals thought I received however they gave it as a draw, sadly.
Yigit was an unbeaten champion after I fought him and extremely ranked and extremely regarded at the moment. I got here up brief in that struggle. I did nicely the first third of the struggle after which my arm began taking part in up – however no excuses. Yigit received truthful and sq., however in my thoughts I knew I used to be ok to be at that stage.
I then boxed in an eight-rounder to get one other win underneath my belt earlier than combating for the European once more in opposition to Scarpa. It was an excellent expertise for me going over to Italy as the underdog and successful the title. Matchroom have been pushing Matchroom Italy and their growth exterior the UK. I think I used to be introduced in as the sacrificial lamb. Luckily, I received the struggle.
It was the first time I’d boxed overseas. We arrived at the airport and they took us straight to the press convention in Florence. Some of the sights have been superb; it’s an incredible place. I’d undoubtedly like to return there sooner or later with out the stress of combating. The meals over there was good, even in the airport. The buffet meals in the lodge was 10 occasions higher than what we recover from right here.
With Matchroom being concerned, the complete factor wasn’t too dissimilar to what I used to be used to. After the struggle the whole lot was closed by the time we left. I had to do the drug testing straight after the struggle. When we bought out, I used to be determined for a pizza. I all the time had a pizza after a struggle, and I believed it will be even higher over there, however the whole lot was shut. I used to be gutted. But I did get one the subsequent day.
My subsequent struggle for the EBU title was a defence in opposition to Robbie Davies Jr in a struggle that was additionally for the British. Again, that was an actual irritating evening for me as a result of I believed I clearly received the struggle however didn’t get the resolution. I attempted to push for a rematch which by no means occurred, and it fell useless in the water. It was a irritating time in my profession. I used to be supposed to then field Lewis Ritson on brief discover, however I bought injured and the struggle by no means materialised, which is a disgrace as a result of I think that might have been a extremely entertaining struggle. I’ve bought numerous respect for Ritson. He’s an excellent boxer and he was driving the crest of a wave at the time. He cleaned out the light-weight division domestically however was shifting up. I had a again harm, the struggle fell via, and he ended up boxing Davies and beating him.
I fought for the EBU once more however this time in opposition to Sandor Martin. I hadn’t recovered after pulling out in opposition to Ritson. I in all probability shouldn’t have taken the struggle. The harm nonetheless plagues me now. When I bought supplied it, I had simply come off a loss and after I bought supplied the Sandor Martin struggle, I felt like I couldn’t flip it down. In my thoughts I believed, I don’t know what will occur if I say no. I’m all the time one to take the danger and say, “Well I rolled the dice, rather than not giving it a go and never knowing.” I didn’t have what I wanted in the tank for that struggle. He was superb. Tricky, slick, onerous to pin down and an excellent opponent. Unfortunately, that was my final run-in with the EBU. That’s 4 European title fights, so I’ve bought a little bit of expertise with it. On Saturday I’ll be watching Azim-Petitjean with curiosity.
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