The showdown between light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez, ranked #1 and #2 globally, is now set for February 3. This WBA World Title Final Eliminator fight, previously planned for October 21st at The O2, got pushed back due to Azeez’s training injury. With The O2 booked up, The OVO Arena Wembley will host this event, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, and Peacock in the USA.
Azeez’s back injury caused the delay of this all-British fight. The initial re-scheduled for January 13th at The O2 clashed with the Light Heavyweight World Title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith. This scheduling conflict made Azeez’s coach, Buddy McGirt (who also trains Smith), unavailable. Now, with a new date and venue, both undefeated Londoners are back in training, gearing up for a fight that’s got the British boxing scene buzzing.
Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO, expresses his excitement about the fight’s return to London. The postponement was a letdown, but they’ve worked hard to reset it for February 3rd. The date change was necessary to ensure Azeez had his coach in his corner. Shalom highlights this as a key event for 2024, with high stakes for both fighters.
Buatsi is raring to go, feeling more driven after the delay. He’s focused on proving his dominance in the division. Azeez, fully recovered, is grateful for the schedule adjustment. He views this as his world title fight, a career-defining moment.
AZIM DEFENDS EUROPEAN TITLE AGAINST POULSEN ON BUATSI-AZEEZ UNDERCARD
Adam Azim is gearing up to fiercely guard his EBU European Super Lightweight Crown against the unblemished ex-champ Enock Poulsen. This showdown is set for Saturday, February 3rd at The OVO Arena Wembley in London. Catch this rumble live on Sky Sports across the UK and Ireland, and on Peacock in the USA.
Azim (10-0, 7 KOs), the young dynamo, snatched the crown from Franck Petitjean last month in Wolverhampton, amidst a roaring crowd. At 21, he sprinted into history as the swiftest Englishman to snag the European Title, eclipsing legends like Spencer Oliver and ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed. This victory also marked him as the first British-Pakistani to hoist the prestigious blue and gold belt.
Poulsen (14-0, 5 KOs), a Danish powerhouse and no slouch in the European boxing arena, had his own dance with Petitjean, clinching the title back in April 2022. Having eyeballed Azim’s crowning moment ringside, Poulsen is itching to reclaim the belt, adamant it’s rightfully his, and halt Azim’s skyrocketing ascent.
Adam Azim, the reigning EBU European Super Lightweight Champ, proclaims: “I’m pumped to defend my European Title at this massive event. Enock Poulsen’s tough, but I’m a few notches higher and I’ll prove it on February 3rd. He’s never tangled with someone of my caliber before.”
Enock Poulsen counters: “That title’s mine; Azim’s just keeping it warm for me. I’m coming to his turf to snatch it back and put an end to his fairytale. He’s yet to face a real challenge, despite the UK hype. In our fight, I’m certain he’s going down. I’m here to show I’m the genuine EBU king. Winning would mean the world to me.”
Ben Shalom, the head honcho at BOXXER, chimes in: “Adam Azim burst onto the big scene, grabbing the European Title in just his tenth fight. Now, he’s up against an undefeated former titleholder who’s never been bested in the ring and sees himself as the true champ. This bout is a sparkling addition to our February 3rd bonanza at The OVO Arena Wembley. We’ve got a potential world champion in Adam, but he’s got to leap over the high bar set by Enock Poulsen to stay in the game.”
