17 November 2023 , 13:00
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Almost 40 years to the day after I beat Valerio Nati for the European featherweight title at the King’s Hall Belfast, Adam Azim is fighting for his first European crown at super lightweight.
I could not be more proud of the kid. Within 19 months of lifting the European title I was the WBA champion. Azim wants to win a world title tomorrow. I’m trying to tell him that slow and steady wins this race.
Franck Petitjean in Wolverhampton is only his tenth fight. Nati was my 19th. I had nine more before I won the world title. Azim will get there before that, but it is important to grow as a fighter first.
He is coming off two points wins. After seven straight KOs he was disappointed not to get rid of Santo Reyes and Aram Finiian. For us it was a tick in the box. We could put him in with patsies and build a record but that does not give us feedback.
We are shaping a fighter here and to do that you have to see them tested. That is what the last two guys did. Reyes had a stubborn chin. Finiian was a class above that, a world class tough guy from the Ukraine school of hard knocks.
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Azim had him going in the eighth but could not get rid of him. That’s valuable learning, part of the educational process. We have been working on combinations, getting closer to opponents, getting into a position where he sprays shots instead of single blows.
He has taken the heads off lesser beings with that approach. We don’t want him to lose that. We just need him to add to it. He has quick hands, which is the holy grail in this game. He is big at the weight. At the moment he can do ten stones, but he will definitely go through the divisions.
Adam Azim has a chance to win his first European title (LAWRENCE LUSTIG)It is a competitive division. We believe that he can not only mix with elite company but succeed. And by the end of 2024 he should be in position to prove that.
The best in the world are that for a reason. When you face them they can surprise you. You have to be prepared. A split second can make or break a career.
From a talent point of view I don’t know that we have had anyone as blessed as Azim, but it’s a long road. When the time comes, and it’s calling him, you have to be ready.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym