Azim vs Claggett: Brit moves closer to world-title shot with third-round stoppage win

Large gaps were visible around the field during the undercard. The crowd gradually filled in as the evening progressed, though plenty of seats remained empty until the main event.

But those in attendance made their voices heard when Azim – sporting a black fedora with white-trimmed spikes – walked into the ring to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’.

Azim made a sharp start and drew blood from Clagett’s nose in the opening minutes.

Claggett, 36, brings vast experience. He was stopped only once as a professional and went the distance with Teofimo Lopez in a world-title challenge in 2023.

But he had no answer to Azim’s relentless power. The Slough fighter lands a right that stuns Claggett and a right hook that drops him heavily.

The away fighter beat the count but looked down on a battered man as he unflinchingly returned to his corner.

Azim realized the opportunity and fell under pressure. With Claggett offering little resistance and absorbing successive clean shots, referee Marcus McDonnell stepped in.

While Azim didn’t quite pull off his trademark backflip celebration, it was otherwise a near-perfect night for ‘The Assassin’.

His team cautiously steered him towards the vacant IBF light-welterweight title. The IBF has ordered Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado to face Russian-Canadian Arthur Bierslanov for the belt and Azim could face the winner.

Further down the line, Azim has long been linked with a domestic showdown against fellow Briton Dalton Smith.

“If he doesn’t win the world title I’ll make a terrible mistake,” says trainer Shane McGuigan.

“I don’t just think he’s going to win the world title, I think he’s going to unify and be a multi-weight world champion.”