Azeem produces his first pro power show

Hamza Azeem celebrates a memorable win

I’D like to thank Hamza Azeem and his team – his team consists of Dave Clarke - for providing a rare “where did that come from?” moment.

It’s much needed. In the professional sport today, there are too many “I could see that coming” moments.

At Wolverhampton’s Hangar last night, Hamza, by day a prison custody officer, took just 21 seconds of a scheduled six rounder to wipe out Martin Shaw.

I expected southpaw Hamza to win against a Rotherham opponent who has been a stranger to victory in his 34 contests before the marathon BCB show.

But I expected a wide points decision in a possibly messy, dull contest. I’d never seen any power in the Kings Heath boxer’s six previous contests, all distance wins.

I’ll be honest. Azeem’s previous performances suggested he couldn’t knock snow off a rope.

How wrong I was. The Selly Oak 24-year-old (11st 7lbs like his opponent) landed a straight right, Shaw buckled, his legs turned to spaghetti and Hamza was all over him like the sauce.

He landed around nine unanswered punches before the referee stepped in. There’s nothing else to report on the contest.

Clarke told me Azeem had power and, frankly, I didn’t believe him. Afterall, the lad looked poor – overweight and out of condition – in his debut.

He’s showed steady improvement since, although I always sensed a lack of confidence in his performances: the ability was there, but not the self belief. The KO win may have seen a corner turned.

I’m pleased for Clarke who has invested a lot of time in tall Azeem. He’s pretty much a one-man band, taking care of all aspects of the fighter’s career.

Small hall trainers rarely get back what they put in, but dramatic moments like last night make it worthwhile.

“I told him I had a feeling it was going to end early,” Clarke said in the dressing room. “We’ve been working on his strength and power, he didn’t believe in his power. He’s always been able to box.

“Tonight, he hurt someone and stayed on them – he kept punching. That was something he didn’t do before.

“With Hamza, it’s all about his mind – he has so much ability, but he hasn’t believed in himself enough. We’ve given him horrible sparring to build that belief, horrible sparring.”

He added: “We’re not talking about titles, we’re not boxing just for titles. We’re on a journey and we’ll see where that leads us.”

Azeem said: “The sparring has been tough. Before tonight I’ve boxed within myself.”

That he has. Azeem has shown moments of flair, last night he unleashed fireworks – and fight fans need fireworks.