Hamza is aiming for his first stoppage
Hamza Azeem…fights at the Eastside Rooms on Saturday
HAMZA “King” Azeem is planning to stamp his authority on the super middleweight division.
He returns to action at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, on Saturday, September 2. The show is staged by BCB.
Azeem returns just over four months on from his second pro contes. He’s won both on points.
The 23-year-old southpaw, from Kings Heath, turned pro a year ago, beating Paul Cummings in a four-rounder.
He won three of the four rounds at the H Suite in Edgbaston.
Azeem put on a complete display to overcome fellow left-hander MJ Hall, which resulted in a 40-36 points whitewash, at Wolverhampton’s Hangar Events Venue.
He’s now looking to go one better and land a maiden TKO as a pro, having only previously registered one stoppage, which was on his amateur debut at the age of 15.
His amateur career culminated in 11 bouts and seven victories. He boxed for Studio (Birmingham) and later Bartley Green Boxing Club.
The married father-of-one also works as a prison officer, operating the holding cells at Birmingham Crown Court and is trained by his old Bartley Green BC coach, Dave Clarke.
Azeem said: “I’ve been out for a few months because I missed another date. I was actually due to box at the Eastside Rooms, on June 17, but I got ill.
“I had flu, so I had to pull out, because I wasn’t going to get better in time. I was still ill on the night of the show, so I was tucked up in bed, watching it on YouTube!
“I wasn’t feeling well before my (pro) debut, too, but I got over that and fought on. I need to be 100 per cent, so I can show that I’m improving with every performance.
“If I was going in there just to get the win, I wouldn’t learn anything. I’m getting fitter each time, and I’ve been pushing myself in training.
“I knew that I was going to box in September, so I want to get this done and get another one, for definite, by the end of the year, perhaps even two.
“In my last fight, MJ Hall was a good opponent, but I really don’t know why I held back so much. I want to show more aggression this time.
“To get the stoppage is a target and challenge for me. I do need the rounds, but I know that I have the fitness to do eight rounds in sparring, so I’m not worried.
“I’m locked in and focussed, so watch this space. I’m determined to go through the levels, build up my ranking and move fast.”
Tickets for the Eastside Rooms bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.