Johnny Nelson: Adam Azim has ‘stardust’ to become world champion | Boxing News

Adam Azim’s “stardust” can take him all the way in which to the highest in boxing, together with his performances paying homage to Prince Naseem Hamed, based on Johnny Nelson. 

Azim gained the European super-lightweight title on Saturday in simply his tenth skilled battle, dominating Franck Petitjean in implausible model at The Halls in Wolverhampton.

The 21-year-old’s pace and power was taxing for Petitjean from the beginning, as a part of an excellent show.

Sky Sports activities Boxing’s Nelson was effusive in his reward on Monday, likening Azim to Prince Naseem – who held a number of featherweight world championships from 1995 to 2000, and was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in 2015.

“It was managed, it was mature,” Nelson stated.

“He had developed a lot from his final two or three fights. A few fights in the past I believed he was a little bit bit inexperienced, there’s nonetheless just a few holes in his armoury and he is nonetheless studying on the job. However this battle right here he was on level, he was robust, he was sharp, he was centered, he wasn’t intimidated.

“His tempo was ridiculous, and that backflip was ridiculous. Nevertheless it’s nicely deserved and every little thing I’ve seen about Adam from being a younger boy.

“He stated he acquired into boxing as a result of he had ADHD. You already know, he simply could not hold nonetheless. However he discovered boxing and that centered him to be to be the individual he’s in the present day. No nonsense sort of child.  

“At 21 years previous I’ve seen it earlier than with fighters. I believe he is acquired stardust written throughout him. The journey he is on, it jogs my memory of Naz’s (Naseem Hamed) journey. He may not have the Naz persona, however he has the punch energy he had, the thrill, he has a fan base behind him. It was really a great evening and I believed it was going to be a troublesome evening for him. 

“I do consider he could be a world champion. We did The Gloves Are Off with him, Viddal Riley, Caroline Dubois, Ben Whittaker and these guys sat there they usually known as themselves The Avengers as a result of they have expertise, they have potential world titles, they have the following in written throughout them. 

“Adam was very quiet, very cool, very matter-of-fact. His ambitions are the champions on the market now, and that in all probability will not occur for perhaps 18 months, two years. However to even assume that manner, he places himself in that class and I believe European stage shall be a distant reminiscence.

“I bear in mind when Naz did it, he boxed for a European title after which when he acquired into the world scene it wasn’t as an enormous deal, and I believe Adam’s going to be that very same sort of fighter.”

Azim has revealed beforehand how Amir Khan represents certainly one of his heroes.

For Nelson although, a likeness to Naz fairly than Khan is extra obvious.

“He would not really [remind me of a young Amir Khan],” Nelson stated.

“It is a combine between a younger Amir Khan and Prince Naseem Hamed as a result of Amir Khan, his punch output was ridiculous. However Adam appears to be a extra highly effective puncher than Amir Khan.

“In comparison with Naz, I believe he has the punch energy, may not have that one knockout punch for the time being, however the one distinction is he isn’t acquired the Naz persona. He is a peaceful level-headed younger man. So he is making his personal path.

“To be impressed by individuals like Amir Khan and Prince Naseem and other people like that. It is a good thing, an amazing begin and an amazing line to need to cross.”