Adam Azim (born 21 July 2002) is a British professional boxer who formally held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) super lightweight in 2025 before later vacating the title. He held the European super lightweight title from 2023 to 2024. As a youth amateur, he was ranked as number one in the world at welterweight.
Early life Azim was born to British Pakistani parents on 21 July 2002 in Slough, Berkshire, and grew up in Cippenham, with his family roots in Kotli, Azad Kashmir. He's one of seven siblings. His elder brother Hassan Azim is also a professional boxer. He belongs to a Rajput family of the Janjua clan.
Growing up, Azim was inspired by Amir Khan. He has ADHD and attended Eton Dorney School, Western House Academy, and Westgate School briefly, before enrolling in Al-Madani Independent Grammar School for the additional support.
Amateur career Before turning pro, Azim won ten national titles and was ranked the world's No.1 Youth Amateur at welterweight. Azim had an exceptional amateur career winning 10 national titles, one European Championship and a European silver medal. He also won every national title from schoolboys to youths, and was ranked the number one youth amateur in the world at welterweight.
Professional career
Early career Azim made his professional debut on 2 December 2020 against Ed Harrison. Azim won via wide points decision after winning every round on the referees scorecard. On 20 November 2021, Azim fought against Stu Greener. Towards the end of the opening round, Azim knocked his opponent down after landing a right hook. In the opening moments of the second round, Azim knocked Greener onto the canvas for a second time with another right hook. Following the second knockdown, the referee called an end to the bout.
Azim faced Jordan Ellison on 19 February 2022. In the opening round, Azim connected with a powerful right hand to the body which knocked his opponent down onto the canvas. Azim continued to control the bout and in the third round, he landed a heavy hand which knocked his opponent down for a second time. Following the second knockdown, the referee waved off the bout. On 26 March 2022, Azim fought Connor Marsden. Twelve seconds into the bout, Azim knocked his opponent down with a jab. Moments later, Azim dropped Marsden for a second time, after which the bout was called to an end.
Azim's fifth bout as a professional was against Anthony Loffet on 25 June 2022. Azim dropped his opponent with a right hook in the opening exchanges of the first round. Loffett was able to beat the count, however, Azim proceeded to connect with a number of right hooks which visibly hurt his opponent. Following this, Loffett's corner opted to throw in the towel to protect their fighter from further damage. On 3 September 2022, Azim faced Michel Cabral. In the opening round, Azim landed a powerful left hook to the body which visibly hurt his opponent. Azim followed this up with two heavy punches to the head which knocked Cabral onto the canvas. The bout was called to an end after Cabral was unable to beat the count.
In October 2022, it was announced that Azim would headline a "BOXXER: Breakthrough" card, scheduled to take place at Alexandra Palace in London against Rylan Charlton on Sunday 27 November 2022. This marked the first headline fight for Azim. The fight with Charlton was first discussed earlier in the year, with a proposed date in the Summer, however plans fell through. Charlton was considered a step up in competition. The card was billed as a Super Sunday event. The term usually used for Premier League football. The card aired during the afternoon. On 8 November, Azim pledged his future to BOXXER and Sky Sports by signing a new long-term contract. In a press release, BOXXER founder Ben Shalom described him as "one of the most exciting prospects on the planet". Azim, now 20 years old, had been endorsed by British Pakistani boxer Amir Khan, who believed Azim would beat his own record as the youngest world champion, which Khan achieved at 22 years old. Azim dropped Charlton three times on his way to a second round stoppage win. It only took 15 seconds to assert his dominance, making Charlton stumble, who then kept his guard up. Two left hooks followed by a right dropped Charlton. He beat the count, but was dropped again awkwardly after being hit with a left uppercut. The second round continued how the opening round ended with Azim dominating. A right hook dropped Charlton again. Referee Chas Coakley waived the fight off as Charlton's corner threw the towel in. During the post-fight, Azim said, “This is a big one. I knew I had him out of there in the first round. Shane told me to calm down and ‘let your shot come, you are going to definitely hurt him again’. I was really eager, but Shane told me to relax." During an interview backstage, Azim called for fights against Yuriorkis Gamboa and George Kambosos Jr. in 2023.
On 9 January 2023, it was announced by Boxxer that Azim would next fight Nicaraguan boxer Santos Reyes (12–0, 3 KOs). Although undefeated, Reyes had never fought outside of his native country. The card was scheduled to take place at Wembley Arena on 11 February 2023. On fight night, Azim dropped Reyes, but was forced to go the 10–round distance, ending his six-fight stoppage streak, winning a unanimous decision. It was a right hand in the second round, which heavily floored Reyes. The fight also marked the first time Azim was unable to stop an opponent that he knocked down. Azim praised him for his toughness. All three judges scored the fight 100–89 for Azim.
A month following the Reyes win, Boxxer and Sky Sports released a list of the next few events, with one of them being on 19 June, with Azim headlining at the York Hall in London. On 6 April, NoSmokeSport.com reported that Azim would be fighting Ukrainian boxer Aram Faniian (22–1, 4 KOs). Faniian was the IBO International champion and on a nine-fight win streak after losing in 2019. On 18 April, a press release officially announced fight. By May, the card was sold-out. During fight week, Azim was forced to pull out due to a sever hand infection. It was believed to have been caused several weeks prior during training when Azim cut his knuckles. The infection was in the dorsal hood. The card went ahead as planned. Azim expected Faniian to be his toughest fight since turning professional and wanted to fight him once he had recovered. In August 2023, the fight was rescheduled to take place on the Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr rematch on 2 September at the AO Arena in Manchester. Azim aimed to restart his stoppage streak. Despite being a step up, Faniian was not known for his punching power. Once again, Azim was taken the 10-round distance, winning via unanimous decision. The judges had it 98–92, 100–90 & 99–91 for Azim. Many of the rounds were close. In the later rounds, Azim got the better of the action with his work rate.
A month following the Reyes win, Boxxer and Sky Sports released a list of the next few events, with one of them being on 19 June, with Azim headlining at the York Hall in London. On 6 April, NoSmokeSport.com reported that Azim would be fighting Ukrainian boxer Aram Faniian (22–1, 4 KOs). Faniian was the IBO International champion and on a nine-fight win streak after losing in 2019. On 18 April, a press release officially announced fight. By May, the card was sold-out. During fight week, Azim was forced to pull out due to a sever hand infection. It was believed to have been caused several weeks prior during training when Azim cut his knuckles. The infection was in the dorsal hood. The card went ahead as planned. Azim expected Faniian to be his toughest fight since turning professional and wanted to fight him once he had recovered. In August 2023, the fight was rescheduled to take place on the Liam Smith vs. Chris Eubank Jr rematch on 2 September at the AO Arena in Manchester. Azim aimed to restart his stoppage streak. Despite being a step up, Faniian was not known for his punching power. Once again, Azim was taken the 10-round distance, winning via unanimous decision. The judges had it 98–92, 100–90, 99–91 for Azim. Many of the rounds were close. In the later rounds, Azim got the better of the action with his work rate. Azim was positive in the post-fight. H“He was a good opponent. I'm only 21 and got into the ring with someone who's had 25 fights. No one would do that at this age. I just proved I can go 10 rounds, I can hurt him, I can stay on the inside and learn from my mistakes. I think it's a win-win. “He was a good opponent. I'm only 21 and got into the ring with someone who's had 25 fights. No one would do that at this age. I just proved I can go 10 rounds, I can hurt him, I can stay on the inside and learn from my mistakes. I think it's a win-win,” he told Sky Sports.
Rise up the ranks Azim's next fight was scheduled to take place on 18 November 2023 against French boxer Franck Petitjean (24–6–3, 6 KOs) for the European super-lightweight championship at the Civil Hall in Wolverhampton. On the fight, he said, “I am so excited for this fight - fighting for the EBU title in just my tenth fight is massive for me. I’m ready to put on a show and bring that belt home with me on November 18th.” Petitjean was excited at the opportunity for fight at a big event and wanted to take give Azim a tough challenge. During the final press conference, Azim said, “I definitely want to make a massive statement. I don’t wanna be going out of that ring just winning the European title. I wanna win it by knockout.” Azim weighed 139.3 pounds and Petitjean came in at the 140-pound, despite looking drained. Azim stopped Petitjean in the tenth round to win the European title, and became the quickest British male boxer to win the title, beating Spencer Oliver's record of winning the bantamweight title in his eleventh fight in 1997. A left hook to the body dropped Petitjean in the fifth round. Petitjean struggled, but slowly beat the count. Azim remained in control and in the tenth, after a barrage of shots, Petitjean's corner threw in the towel.
In November 2023, it was reported that Azim would make his first defence against Danish mandatory challenger, Enock Poulsen (14–0, 5 KOs) on 3 February 2024. At this stage, no contracts had been signed, however Poulsen shared the information via social media. On 5 December, the fight was announced, to take place on the Joshua Buatsi vs. Dan Azeez undercard at The OVO Arena Wembley in London. Poulsen previously held the European title, also defeating Petitjean, but not able to defence the title. At this point in his career, Azim felt he was passed British level and wanted to work towards world level after the Poulsen fight. At the time, Dalton Smith held the British title. Azim defended his title with a fifth round stoppage. Azim won the first four rounds without any pressure. In the fifth, Poulsen suffered a shoulder problem, which was then checked out. Deemed unable to continue, the referee stopped the fight at 2:39 of the round.