ONE of the most exciting prospects in boxing, Adam Azim, can claim the most formidable scalp of his career so far when the bell goes at Wembley Arena on Saturday.
Kazakhstan’s Sergei Lipinets is a former world champion and has mixed it with the upper echelons of the 140lb and 147lb weight classes for almost a decade.
The 35-year-old lost his championship belt on points to multi-weight king Mikey Garcia in 2018, and was dropped and stopped by current welterweight world #1 Jaron Ennis in 2021.
But he’s since switched back down to super-lightweight and last time out defeated former Azim teammate Robbie Davies Jr, dropping the Scouser three times en-route to a points victory.
However, Azim is a special talent and timing is everything.
THE ASSASSIN
Lipinets, who’s record reads 18-3-1, arrives in London a face a true prodigy, 13 years his junior and with the hallmark to become a British boxing great.
Coached and managed by the McGuigan’s, Shane and Barry; they know a thing or two about building a modern-day boxing star.
Look no further than Scotland’s Josh Taylor as the blueprint on how they’re now guiding the career of Azim.
Domestic honours inside 10 fights, then stepping up to face a former world champion, both paths even also ran through the same domestic foe, Ohara Davies, albeit seven years apart.
Taylor’s early run appeared reckless at the time, one serious test after another, but he went on to capture all four belts on a tour de force that established him on boxing’s pound-for-pound list.
Undoubtedly, the direction of assent mapped out in front of Azim follows a similar if not even more ambitious path. But there is no shortcut to the top.
Lipinets is most certainly a step up in class on his previous 12 opponents.
Admittedly, the 22-year-old ‘Assassin’ from Slough has looked nothing short of spectacular since turning pro in 2020, running up nine stoppages in his dozen wins.
Tall and rangy, with fast hands and feet, Azim also boasts maturity beyond his years and has shown great adaptability inside the ring due to a keen ring IQ.
He openly admits he uses his ADHD diagnosis to his advantage in the sport, providing him with a focus bordering on obsession. He’s addicted to winning and improving.
Lipinets should have enough experience in the tank to ask questions of the youngster and won’t be so rash as to offer up openings willingly.
But after domestic rival Dalton Smith picked up Azim’s vacated European title belt last weekend with a first-round knockout, Adam will certainly want to send a message straight back.
TIP: Azim by KO, Rounds 4-6
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