Adam Azim Outpoints Santos Reyes

Adam Azim Outpoints Santos Reyes

Except for one brief moment in the 2nd round, it wasn’t quite the explosive Adam Azim that we are used to and expected again on Saturday night at the Wembley Arena in London.

Azim detonated his right hand and dropped Reyes heavily in the 2nd round, and the end looked near. But Reyes not only survived that more than mini-crisis the previously unbeaten Nicaraguan managed to extend the highly-touted Azim the full ten rounds.

Reyes lost every round, and all three judges scored it 100-89 for Azim, who claimed the WBA light-welterweight Continental title in the process.

Azim showed patience, punch variety, speed, and power, and while some will be unimpressed that he failed to record yet another highlight reel finish, the rounds in the bank will prove much more valuable than a clickbait stoppage victory. Nursing an apparent injury to his right hand, Azim noticeably and sensibly concentrated his work to his left side in the closing rounds, and a number of thudding left hooks briefly threatened a late stoppage in the closing seconds. But Reyes, to his credit, stood his ground. An opponent who came with ambition of his own. Make no mistake, a lot of money would have been lost last night. Reyes was widely expected not to see out three rounds.

Now unbeaten in eight fights, Azim, like his stablemate Caroline Dubois, is a fighter who has a craving for the big fights and the world title baubles that look set to follow. The fight on Saturday night against Reyes will tell Azim that not everyone will fall at his feet and say, “Let’s hail the new King.”

Azim looks like a special talent, Saturday night changes nothing on that score. Is he really the future of British boxing? Quite possibly, but at 20, he has time, and he should be given it.

Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer