Free-To-Air BBC Two. Adam Is Back.
Right then. Adam Azim steps on the scales today at BOXPARK Wembley, in front of the public, free to watch. Tomorrow night he walks to the OVO Arena across the road, and the whole thing is live and free-to-air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Make no mistake — this is the biggest free-to-air British boxing slot of the year so far, and Azim is the man carrying it.
BOXXER and the BBC have done a clever bit of business here. Bringing terrestrial boxing back, putting a young British star on it, making the build-up properly accessible — presser open to the public on Thursday, weigh-in open to the public on Friday. That is how you grow the sport again. Class move.
Claggett Is A Proper Test
Steve Claggett is not a bin-bag opponent. He is 38 fights deep, he has been in with proper operators including a 12-round war for the WBA strap, and his chin is granite. The Canadian comes to work. He throws volume, he eats shots, he keeps coming. If Azim wants a comeback fight that tells him exactly where he is, this is it.
The body of work is real. Claggett has been the away fighter in someone else's home twenty times and has been competitive almost every time. He is not coming to fall over.
What Azim Needs To Show
Azim has been brilliant in flashes and rough in moments. The hand speed is genuinely elite — there are not three super lightweights on the planet quicker. The footwork is brilliant. What people want to see tonight is composure, restraint, and a smart performance against a fighter who actually fights back.
Levels above Claggett on hand speed and skill. The question is whether he can stay disciplined for twelve and not get drawn into a row. Shane McGuigan has been drilling exactly that.
The Read
Azim UD12, clear cards but a proper workout. I see him boxing on the back foot for six, taking minor exchanges, then opening up from round seven once he has Claggett's timing read. Maybe a knockdown in round nine or ten. 118-110 type fight. Calls out Catterall in the ring afterwards, and the British super lightweight scene gets very interesting very quickly.
How To Watch
BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, Saturday night, main event ringwalks around 10pm BST. Free. On your telly. Get the lads round.