Nick Peet: Dan Azeez vs Thomas Faure preview

DAN Azeez may not be the biggest name or the most decorated light-heavyweight boxer in Britain, but he’s likely the most entertaining and could yet prove to be the best of the lot too.

The 33-year-old Londoner challenges for the vacant European 175lb championship belt in Paris, France on Saturday night aiming to take a significant step towards becoming world champion.

Frenchman Thomas Faure will have home advantage, but doesn’t have the pedigree, punch power or likely the prowess to derail the Brit’s ring assent.

Unbeaten in 18 fights with 12 knockouts, Azeez has proven himself at every level; ticking important boxes as he’s won Southern Area then English, British, Commonwealth and now European belts.

From small hall, off-TV shows to now headlining live from the French capital on Sky Sports, Azeez’s prospects have grown steadily along with his fan base.

BEST OF BRITISH?

Domestically, light-heavyweight is one of the UK’s most talent-rich divisions; being home to three or more world championship level operators. The question is, who is the number one?

Callum Smith is the most likely candidate as the only former world champion on the list, but his biggest moments were down at super-middleweight. His move to light-heavy, now three years in, is just six rounds deep.

Anthony Yarde has contested two world titles at 175lb and emerged from both with his reputation greatly enhanced. But, ultimately, he was stopped twice too.

Joshua Buatsi remains undefeated, but is yet to have a real breakout moment since collecting silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With the game Craig Richards and the undervalued Lyndon Arthur jostling for fifth spot.

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐩 🙌

Southern, English, British, Commonwealth, European next. Can anyone stop Super @dan_azeez?! 🇫🇷 🏆#BOXXERParis | 11.03.22 | @SkySportsBoxing @allstarboxingfr pic.twitter.com/7sR7pXEUTh

— BOXXER (@boxxer) March 2, 2023

THINKING FIGHTER

An alumni of the Essex University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Azeez isn’t your stereotypical prizefighter. He only started boxed at 19 and his amateur card never extended further than Southern Area successes.

But somewhere along the way he caught the bug, fell in love with the sport, the fighting style of the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and committed himself to realising his athletic potential.

Faure, 33, has that home advantage but very little else.

The man from Chateauroux has just two knockouts on his 21-4-1 record and despite winning the lesser European Union belt in January, he’s never shared a ring with a fighter as prolific as Azeez.

His four losses may include just one stoppage, but that was against non-puncher Eddy Lacrosse in 2018 – ending their three-fight rubber match in an ill-fated French national title fight.

SUPER DAN

Azeez is quite simply too good. Too strong. To powerful, accurate and resourceful to lose to a fighter of Faure’s calibre, especially at this stage in his development.

Former champion Rocky Fielding managed to muddle his way to the eighth round before Azeez forced his corner to throw in the towel in December.

Faure’s corner won’t get that chance.

TIP: Azeez by TKO, Rounds 4-6