Adam Azim vs. Steve Claggett | BBC - 30 May 2026

[lookingaround87]

By time they fight, Azim will hit his peak and Smith will be on decline.

And by that time it'd be a completely meaningless fight. And it doesn't always work like that. Some fighters hit their peak early. Azim isn't going to just keep on getting better until he hits 30 and then suddenly start to decline. He'll be at his peak in a year or so, if he isn't already there. And he's on record shamelessly ducking Smith.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Adam Azim is just another day at the office for road warrior Steve Claggett

Steve Claggett will be fighting in a new country on May 30, but little else will feel unfamiliar for him. Not the hostility. Not the stage. And certainly not the role.

Claggett, the veteran junior welterweight from Calgary, Alberta, Canada will once again find himself cast as the B-side when he faces rising British contender Adam Azim at Wembley Arena in London, England. It’s a position he has occupied for much of his career—and one he has learned to embrace.

“I spent a lifetime fighting on the B-side,” said Claggett, 40-8-2 (28 KOs). “I don't mind it. It's just part of the game. But at the end of the day, they can't fight for you. The only one who fights is the guy in the ring.”

At 35, Claggett is a seasoned road warrior who has fought across the globe, competing in Ireland as an amateur, plus Mexico and the Philippines as a pro. The location, he insists, is irrelevant once the bell rings.

“My punches are just as hard in England as they are in Calgary or as they are here in Las Vegas,” said Claggett, who is currently training at the Mayweather Gym. “The name of the game is get better and be better. It doesn’t matter where the fight is - you show up how you show up.”

Claggett, an 18-year pro, is coming off a second-round stoppage of Alejandro Frias Rodriguez in March. Prior to that, Claggett sat out all of 2025 with a left shoulder injury. Instead of allowing the injury to stall his momentum, he worked on improving his right hand.

“I spent the whole time working on my right hand, building something that I feel like it's better than ever now. So when one piece breaks, you work on the other one,” said Claggett. “I kept progressing. I kept working, I kept training, I kept sparring. I did everything. I feel like it's coming together now, so maybe it was perfect.”

Azim, 14-0 (11 KOs), of Slough, England, has established himself as one of the top young fighters in England following an impressive 2025 where he scored knockouts over fellow prospect Kurt Scoby and former IBF junior welterweight titleholder Sergey Lipinets.

“He's fast, he's sharp, he's pretty tall,” said Claggett of the 5’10” Azim. “But a man's a man. In the ring is where you really figure it all out. But I always found that you can't put the guy that you're fighting up on this big pedestal, because it'll create this mountain to climb. And the only thing that matters is how you show up, and as long as you show up at your very best, that's what you can do.”

Claggett has had one previous opportunity for a world title, going the distance against Teofimo Lopez in 2024 for the WBO junior welterweight title. He lost a unanimous decision that night, but gained the experience of having fought at the highest level of the sport. He insists that he isn’t coming in as a veteran looking for a payday. He says he’s still a hungry fighter, and knows that just one night can bring him right back to the top.

“I've seen the top of the boxing world, and I know that I can do it, and I've spent my whole life dedicated to this sport, and now I have this opportunity, and it's something that I'm not going to let pass me by. It’s something that I've worked on since I was a child, and I just want it more than ever. I know what I'm looking for. Every day of my life I've dedicated to this sport, and it's a great opportunity,” said Claggett.

Claggett knows that, when he walks to the ring in London later this month, only the people by his side will be cheering him. It doesn’t bother him because he knows it doesn’t matter what corner you’re in or who is featured more prominent on the fight posters once the bell rings.

“I found that sometimes when guys get built up and they've been blessed with a promoter from the very beginning, it's like they know what it's like on the A-side, but they don't know what it's like on the B-side. And sometimes guys can overlook their opposition, or think that everything's gonna to go their way, but it's always different,” said Claggett.

“The rest of the stuff is all details, all the noise, all the favorites, A-side, B-side doesn't matter, because when the bell rings, that's what counts. And I feel like I'm going to show my absolute best this fight, and the details won't matter when we get in there.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fran Hennessy lands chief-support slot on Azim-Claggett card

The undercard of Adam Azim’s important junior welterweight clash with Steve Claggett will feature Francesca Hennessy.

The “Billion Dollar Baby” faces Aurora De Persio on May 30 at Wembley Arena after a hard-fought decision over Ellie Bouttell earlier this year.

Hennessy, daughter of promoter Mick, is now 8-0 (1 KO) while her opponent is 8-1 (3 KOs) and the Englishwoman hopes a victory could lead her into a fight with Australia’s popular bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson.

“I’m really excited to be back fighting on the BBC,” she said. “The support has been unbelievable and every time I fight, I want to put on a big performance for everyone watching at home and in the arena.

“This is another important test for me. I’ve always wanted to challenge myself against good opponents because that’s what will prepare me for world title fights.

“I know what I want to achieve in this sport and every fight is another step towards becoming world champion. I’m staying focused, improving every camp and I can’t wait to put on a show on May 30.”
Promoter Ben Shalom said: “Full credit to Francesca because once again she’s taking on a tough opponent at a crucial stage in her career. Having won a final eliminator, a lot of fighters would sit on the sidelines and protect their position, but that tells you everything about her mindset and ambitions.

“When you look at fighters like Francesca Hennessy and Adam Azim leading this card, you are seeing two future world champions aged 23 and under with enormous futures ahead of them. British boxing is in very good hands.”

Also, on the eight-bill card, Joel Kodua will aim to improve to 12-0 defending his English welterweight title against mandatory challenger Will Harrison, who is 8-0. At cruiserweight, 21-1 (8 KOs) Juergen Uldedaj defends against American Mushin Carson, who is 14-0 (11 KOs) and there are outings for Ergal Elezaj, Abdul Khan, Oscar McCracken, Saqib Mehmood, Vijayray Karia and heavyweight Derrick Osadolor.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[mickey1975]

Fran Hennessy lands chief-support slot on Azim-Claggett card

The undercard of Adam Azim’s important junior welterweight clash with Steve Claggett will feature Francesca Hennessy.

The “Billion Dollar Baby” faces Aurora De Persio on May 30 at Wembley Arena after a hard-fought decision over Ellie Bouttell earlier this year.

Hennessy, daughter of promoter Mick, is now 8-0 (1 KO) while her opponent is 8-1 (3 KOs) and the Englishwoman hopes a victory could lead her into a fight with Australia’s popular bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson.

“I’m really excited to be back fighting on the BBC,” she said. “The support has been unbelievable and every time I fight, I want to put on a big performance for everyone watching at home and in the arena.

“This is another important test for me. I’ve always wanted to challenge myself against good opponents because that’s what will prepare me for world title fights.

“I know what I want to achieve in this sport and every fight is another step towards becoming world champion. I’m staying focused, improving every camp and I can’t wait to put on a show on May 30.”
Promoter Ben Shalom said: “Full credit to Francesca because once again she’s taking on a tough opponent at a crucial stage in her career. Having won a final eliminator, a lot of fighters would sit on the sidelines and protect their position, but that tells you everything about her mindset and ambitions.

“When you look at fighters like Francesca Hennessy and Adam Azim leading this card, you are seeing two future world champions aged 23 and under with enormous futures ahead of them. British boxing is in very good hands.”

Also, on the eight-bill card, Joel Kodua will aim to improve to 12-0 defending his English welterweight title against mandatory challenger Will Harrison, who is 8-0. At cruiserweight, 21-1 (8 KOs) Juergen Uldedaj defends against American Mushin Carson, who is 14-0 (11 KOs) and there are outings for Ergal Elezaj, Abdul Khan, Oscar McCracken, Saqib Mehmood, Vijayray Karia and heavyweight Derrick Osadolor.

Will Harrison isn't 8-0.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fran Hennessy lands chief-support slot on Azim-Claggett card

Also, on the eight-bill card, Joel Kodua will aim to improve to 12-0 defending his English welterweight title against mandatory challenger Will Harrison, who is 8-0. At cruiserweight, 21-1 (8 KOs) Juergen Uldedaj defends against American Mushin Carson, who is 14-0 (11 KOs) and there are outings for Ergal Elezaj, Abdul Khan, Oscar McCracken, Saqib Mehmood, Vijayray Karia and heavyweight Derrick Osadolor.

Will Harrison isn't 8-0.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[SeanBrennan]

I’m cheering for Claggett as I like the surname. Claggy!

[deadpan]

Steve Claggett has to be the most English sounding name ever, turns out he’s Canadian.

He sounds like someone Geoff McCreesh won an area title against.

[SeanBrennan]

Steve Claggett has to be the most English sounding name ever, turns out he’s Canadian.

He sounds like someone Geoff McCreesh won an area title against.

Nobody gets past the Claggster

[deadpan]

Steve Claggett has to be the most English sounding name ever, turns out he’s Canadian.

He sounds like someone Geoff McCreesh won an area title against.

Nobody gets past the Claggster

I thought Geoff won 98-91 including a disputed knockdown in the eighth.

[SeanBrennan]

He sounds like someone Geoff McCreesh won an area title against.

Nobody gets past the Claggster

I thought Geoff won 98-91 including a disputed knockdown in the eighth.

Claggy was robbed

[Taansend]

I know I'm a disgusting old man but I can't decide if Francesca Hennessy & Aurora De Persio sounds like a couple of great drinks or a couple of porn stars.

[deadpan]

Nobody gets past the Claggster

I thought Geoff won 98-91 including a disputed knockdown in the eighth.

Claggy was robbed

Spoken like a true Claggolyte.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Conference – Open to the Public
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 12pm for 1pm start
Location: BOXPARK Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0JT

Weigh In – Open to the Public
Date: Friday, May 29
Time: 12pm for 1pm start
Location: BOXPARK Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0JT
Participants: All fighters

[SeanBrennan]

I thought Geoff won 98-91 including a disputed knockdown in the eighth.

Claggy was robbed

Spoken like a true Claggolyte.

I’m a Clagg disciple. A Claggiple.

If it’s not Clagg there’ll be agg.

Team Clagg.

[Taansend]

On Adams Boxrec page his Manager/Agent is listed as "Dad Azim"

https://boxrec.com/en/box-am/978312

[KiwiRider]

Azim’s 24 he’s not fought in 6 months and the best they can come up with is this guy ?

So by the time he has his next fight after this one he’ll have wasted the best part of a year of his prime years treading water

That's what the big money gets you!

Not even enough to defend his IBO strap

That's a good point. I can't find anything to say there is anything on the line here.
As far as I know, Azim has the WBO inter, and the IBO world. That should be enough for title contender position and to defend either would strengthen that position.
It's such a nothing fight, sure the Canadian might be fit and durable but he's 36 and shop worn- that's ancient by SLW standards.

[Ruthless-RKO]

On Adams Boxrec page his Manager/Agent is listed as "Dad Azim"

https://boxrec.com/en/box-am/978312

Why didn’t he register his first name?

That just looks funny

[SeanBrennan]

Azim’s 24 he’s not fought in 6 months and the best they can come up with is this guy ?

So by the time he has his next fight after this one he’ll have wasted the best part of a year of his prime years treading water

That's what the big money gets you!

Not even enough to defend his IBO strap

That's a good point. I can't find anything to say there is anything on the line here.
As far as I know, Azim has the WBO inter, and the IBO world. That should be enough for title contender position and to defend either would strengthen that position.
It's such a nothing fight, sure the Canadian might be fit and durable but he's 36 and shop worn- that's ancient by SLW standards.

You can’t diss the Claggster

[johnmanchester]

I'd forgotten this was even happening.

Terrible card

Azim needs to get out of there ASAP

[Ruthless-RKO]

Azim should do some self promotion too.

But I don’t think he has the gift.

I know he has ADHD, if that affects him.

I mean his wife was on a popular BBC show and posts a lot on Socials too.

[Ruthless-RKO]