Relentless Adam Azim stops Sergey Lipinets in statement win

Rising British junior welterweight Adam Azim produced the most important win of his profession Saturday with a stoppage of Sergey Lipinets within the ninth spherical in London to say the IBO title.

On paper, Lipinets (18-4-1, 2 KOs) was Azim’s hardest opponent up to now, having gained the IBF junior welterweight title in 2017.

However the 22-year-old confirmed he’s greater than able to go to the following stage, dominating Lipinets in a managed vogue.

Whereas Lipinets — along with his guard always excessive and tight — saved the strain up and confirmed his expertise, Azim (13-0, 10 KOs) remained composed, sticking behind his jab and transferring nicely.

Because the struggle began to warmth up, Azim was being chased down in Spherical 3 when he unleashed a lightning-quick left hand that stopped Lipinets in his tracks and dropped him to the canvas.

Azim appeared to turn into extra snug because the struggle wore on, constructing combos and hurting his opponent, notably with the correct uppercut.

However he slowed his momentum twice when he was docked factors for low blows in Spherical 4 and seven.

Nonetheless, Azim saved coming. Although Lipinets virtually went down a second time within the closing phases of Spherical 8, he remarkably stayed on his toes, however the writing was on the wall.

Azim went straight to work with the uppercut to start out Spherical 9. It did not take lengthy earlier than the referee stepped in, resulting in an outburst of emotion from the Brit.

“For the knockdown, I did not even know I might hit him,” Azim mentioned. “That was simply so fast. I needed to be affected person. To be world class, you need to be affected person to do your work.

“That is an emotional second for the group, the household and all of the family members.”

Azim was requested in regards to the prospect of a struggle in opposition to countryman Dalton Smith, who beat Walid Ouizza final month.

The 2 have usually been linked in current months, and Azim referred to as out Smith (17-0, 13 KOs) within the ring following his victory.

“I am going to struggle whoever my group counsel, however have you learnt what … Dalton Smith, you’d higher be watching mate — since you ain’t that good my buddy,” Azim mentioned.

“The man you’ve got been preventing in your final struggle, he ain’t all that. Belief me. I am coming child. It is nonetheless marinating, however after I do struggle him I’ll train him a lesson.”