Hamza makes it five straight pro victories

Azeem and Smith after their fight. Picture: Jack Perry

THE ring apprenticeship continued for Hamza Azeem at Edgbaston’s H Suite on Friday night with lop-sided victory over debutant Shane Smith.

Southpaw Azeem, tall and with fast hands, had things pretty much his own way against a Worcester opponent who has come from the white collar circuit and been inactive for some years.

Referee Ryan Churchill gave Smith a round, scoring 39-37. I had it a 40-36 shoutout for the Kings Heath boxer who is now unbeaten in five.

Azeem, at 24, is a work in progress, we must not forget that. There’s still some work to be done until the cuffs are taken off a boxer who, by day, works as a prison custody officer. I’m not yet prepared to refer to him as a prospect.

He is going in the right direction. Azeem markedly improves with each outing and is a very different physical specimen from the boxer who laboured in his debut. He weighed 11st 7lbs 2oz for Friday’s contest and appears destined for the light-middleweight (11st) division.

I’ll make an observation – not a criticism. I’d like to see a little more devil in Azeem’s work. He peels off punches in eye-catching bunches, but more venom will bring more dramatic results. Perhaps there’s still a little lack of belief.

Azeem’s trainer Dave Clarke – a man who knows his stuff – admitted: “He has to be naughty, but he’s such a nice guy. He’s 24 and I’ve told him he’s jumped into a man’s game now.

“He’s getting better, listening a lot more and this was the best (performance) to date. He has so much skill, it’s unbelievable. The opponent was game.”

“I caught him with one big shot,” said Azeem, “but I do need to be more spiteful.”

Azeem, hands low, controlled matters behind a sharp jab, put punches together in clusters and, by the final round, was confident enough to fight off the ropes.

Smith (11st 1lb) – former English champ Adam Harper’s first signing – fought with spirit against a much taller opponent.

I’m not sure of Smith’s aims or ambitions: I doubt he’s entered the pro game with the hope of being British champ.

If he wants to stay busy and earn regularly, then Friday night will go down as a job well done. Smith wasn’t hurt, he wasn’t marked up and can look forward to fighting another day in the very near future.