Adam Azim says he could beat Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela 'quite easy' in IBF eliminator

Trainer Shane McGuigan said Azim could "wipe the floor" with the Mexican at the Copper Box on 4 December, and Azim wants a Dalton Smith fight made the day after he wins a world title.

Adam Azim says he could beat Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela "quite easy" when they meet in an IBF super lightweight title eliminator at the Copper Box Arena in London on Friday 4 December.

Asked about the Mexican at the fight's launch press conference at Glaziers Hall in London on Wednesday, the unbeaten Azim (15-0, 12 KOs) said: "He's a great fighter. He's got these long levers. He can punch as well. But he's not like— he's a world-class fighter, but I know for sure that I could beat him quite easy."

Gollaz Valenzuela was not at the press conference. When the host read out his statement that Azim "has never faced anyone like me before", Azim said: "Every single opponent has said that." He pointed to Steve Claggett, who he said had talked about beating him before Azim stopped him in three rounds, and said that while he had "a lot of respect" for Gollaz Valenzuela, he would "put on a show on December 4th".

Trainer Shane McGuigan said Gollaz Valenzuela is tall, with "a good jab" and "a sharp right hand", but faces a taller man with a better jab and a better right hand. "It's down to Adam to systematically break him down," McGuigan said. He said "someone with Adam's talent" could "wipe the floor with him and that would be a huge statement". McGuigan said Azim had been ready to become a world champion "for the last 8 to 10 months, but, you know, there's a bit of a backlog with the IBF", and added: "He is the most talented fighter I've ever worked with, and I've worked with a lot."

Azim was also asked about WBC super lightweight champion Dalton Smith. He said he was not looking past Gollaz Valenzuela, but added: "Once I win a world title, I want Ben to call Eddie the next day and say make that fight happen." McGuigan said Azim would "genuinely box Dalton Smith" and that "I feel like he'll beat him". Smith has told The Ring that Azim gets his publicity by "throwing delusional comments every time I fight".

Gollaz Valenzuela (32-5, 18 KO) fought Subriel Matias for eight rounds and lost to Lindolfo Delgado last year, and the IBF title is vacant. The 4 December card also has Francesca Hennessy against Johanna Wonyou for the interim WBC bantamweight title. It is live on DAZN, with a free-to-air broadcaster still to be added, Boxxer chief executive Ben Shalom said.

READ NEXTJunto Nakatani v Ramon Cardenas verbally agreed, likely for early 2027, promoter saysRead the next story →

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google