BoxRec

Duffield vs. Azeez Added To The Undercard

Charlie Duffield and Dan Azeez will meet in an all-London clash for the Southern Area Light-Heavyweight title on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s Heavyweight showdown with unbeaten Colombian Oscar Rivas at The O2 in London on July 20, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Canning Town’s Duffield (7-1, 6 KOs) bounced back from a first career defeat in 2016 with four straight victories and the heavy-handed Mark Tibbs fighter is delighted to be fighting for his first professional title as he looks to climb the domestic ladder at 175lbs.

Lewisham’s Azeez (8-0, 5 KOs) has earned his first title shot with eight straight wins since turning over in 2017 and the former amateur standout is promising to deliver a memorable performance in his first opportunity on the big stage.

“I’m really looking forward to this one,” said Duffield. “It’s a really big platform on Sky Sports Box Office and a great opportunity for me to showcase what I’m really about. It’s going to be a cracking fight on July 20, I’m preparing for a war. Mark Tibbs has got the best out of me and he’s pushed me to my limits – that’s what I need in a trainer. I’ve got to say a massive thank you to Dillian Whyte for helping me get this opportunity, he’s been like a big brother to me.

“This is massive for me. I’ve always told people that these four rounders are no good for me because I only start warming up in the second and third rounds. I’m a pretty slow starter and I come on strong in the later rounds. I haven’t been able to showcase that yet but this is a championship fight and I’m going to get my head down and train hard. Under the guidance of Mark I think I can go all the way.

“I’ve seen lots of Azeez and he’s very good. He’s kept really busy which should stand him in good stead for our fight. I never underestimate my opponents but I’m going to let my hands do the talking. When I catch people cleanly with those 10oz gloves they don’t get up. Nobody has seen the best of my yet but they will on July 20.”

“I’m happy to get my first title shot,” said Azeez. “It’s a pleasure to have it on a huge Matchroom Boxing show. I’ve got to thank MTK Global for sorting it out for me. I’ve worked hard to get into this position with some good performances and I’ve stayed very active. The fashion of my wins has made a lot of noise and put me in this position to be mandatory for the Southern Area title.

“Charlie Duffield is a big opponent. He’s very strong and he’s a big puncher. He’s won the majority of his fights by TKO so I know he’s dangerous. My current trainer used to train Charlie as an amateur, so he’ll know a lot about him. I’m expecting the best Charlie Duffield to turn up on July 20 so I’ve got to train hard and just keep on doing what I’m doing. I’m sure that will be enough to get my hand raised on the night.”

Duffield and Azeez clash on a huge night of boxing in the Capital.

a keep busy contest against a guy who will give him test but is realistically too small to hurt him .

whyte should get a crack at wilder instead of ortiz

stevec@france wrote: ↑30 May 2019, 15:04 a keep busy contest against a guy who will give him test but is realistically too small to hurt him .

whyte should get a crack at wilder instead of ortiz

Rivas is a real threat. He can box and he can smack. Good amateur background as well.

Here's where we'll have another upset. Rivas will take Whyte out.

oogiebe wrote: ↑04 Jun 2019, 19:13 Here's where we'll have another upset. Rivas will take Whyte out.

Keep thinking that myself , another banana skin

oogiebe wrote: ↑04 Jun 2019, 19:13 Here's where we'll have another upset. Rivas will take Whyte out.

Rivas is one peg above average.
Whyte wins convincingly

Whyte will take him out.

Ricky wrote: ↑04 Jun 2019, 20:44 Whyte will take him out.

x2

Whyte should win but he’s really let himself go since his last fight so conditioning could be an issue.

I get that training camp is strenuous but to pack on so much weight inbetween camps just makes it hard for yourself.

Rivas is a small heavy and doesn’t really have a one big punch he’s more a combination guy. I think unless he can outwork Whyte, he’ll get beaten on the outside and Whyte will walk him into a big punch.

Ricky wrote: ↑04 Jun 2019, 20:44 Whyte will take him out.

Are we underestimating Rivas?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 08:22 Are we underestimating Rivas?

I have Rivas winning this.

My God..... how the fcuk is Whyte v Rivas a PPV headline fight?

The undercard had better be incredible.

Loftgroov wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 08:27 My God..... how the fcuk is Whyte v Rivas a PPV headline fight?

The undercard had better be incredible.

Mate. We’ve got Allen vs. Price!

Let’s compare.

Heavy Duty: Dubois vs. Gorman / Joyce vs. Jennings

Matchroom Duty: Whyte vs. Rivas / Allen vs. Price

Pick one.

Loftgroov wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 08:27 My God..... how the fcuk is Whyte v Rivas a PPV headline fight?

The ONLY reason why this is a PPV, is to probably pay Whyte’s purse.

Same reason Whyte-Parker was PPV. Bother demanded a high purse and Sky don’t want to folk out.

And ever since, Whyte obviously doesn’t want to settle for less anymore and also thinks he’s a PPV star (Hearn and Sky’s fault).. so, there we have it.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 08:22 Are we underestimating Rivas?

Whytes massively underrated. I think he's the best HW in the world. I like Rivas, he has a good attitude. I backed him to beat Jennings by KO last time. He came good in the final round (iirc) but I felt it was a laboured performance. Whyte will be too hot for him imo.

Ricky wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 09:39 Whytes massively underrated. I think he's the best HW in the world. I like Rivas, he has a good attitude. I backed him to beat Jennings by KO last time. He came good in the final round (iirc) but I felt it was a laboured performance. Whyte will be too hot for him imo.

I think Whyte is rated ok

Ricky wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 09:39 Whytes massively underrated. I think he's the best HW in the world. I like Rivas, he has a good attitude. I backed him to beat Jennings by KO last time. He came good in the final round (iirc) but I felt it was a laboured performance. Whyte will be too hot for him imo.

Can't disagree with you more mate. Whyte is bang average and has shown it numerous times. Behind when stopping Chisora and life and death with Parker are not signs of being the best heavyweight in the world

smiling assassin wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 11:32 Can't disagree with you more mate. Whyte is bang average and has shown it numerous times. Behind when stopping Chisora and life and death with Parker are not signs of being the best heavyweight in the world

The fights with Del were box office, Whyte could've boxed and moved if he wanted, he's quickier and rangier, but going toe-to-toe builds a fan base and he had Del's number anyway.

His performance vs Parker was sensational for 11 rounds and the bomb he dropped him with was unreal. For me, Parker vs Whyte was fight of the year. And let's not underrate Parker, he's top 6 or so himself.

Ricky wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 12:17 The fights with Del were box office, Whyte could've boxed and moved if he wanted, he's quickier and rangier, but going toe-to-toe builds a fan base and he had Del's number anyway.

His performance vs Parker was sensational for 11 rounds and the bomb he dropped him with was unreal. For me, Parker vs Whyte was fight of the year. And let's not underrate Parker, he's top 6 or so himself.

He's an exciting watch by no means the best HW. Top six/seven.

Ricky wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 12:17 The fights with Del were box office, Whyte could've boxed and moved if he wanted, he's quickier and rangier, but going toe-to-toe builds a fan base and he had Del's number anyway.

His performance vs Parker was sensational for 11 rounds and the bomb he dropped him with was unreal. For me, Parker vs Whyte was fight of the year. And let's not underrate Parker, he's top 6 or so himself.

A questionable decision and a KO when clearly losing is not having someone's number

You say Parker is top 6 himself so beating him should not make you think he's the best HW out there. Wilder mullers him and Fury makes him look foolish.
As Oog says most exciting HW yes. Best HW far from it

smiling assassin wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 13:31 A questionable decision and a KO when clearly losing is not having someone's number

You say Parker is top 6 himself so beating him should not make you think he's the best HW out there. Wilder mullers him and Fury makes him look foolish.
As Oog says most exciting HW yes. Best HW far from it

smiling assassin wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 13:31 A questionable decision and a KO when clearly losing is not having someone's number

You say Parker is top 6 himself so beating him should not make you think he's the best HW out there. Wilder mullers him and Fury makes him look foolish.
As Oog says most exciting HW yes. Best HW far from it

Wilder Fury and AN are freak shows getting by on crazy physical advantages. Ruiz Parker and Whyte are significantly more skilled than they 3. Usyk again is another level up. Make excsuses all you like about Whytes wins, fact is, he won the Parker and Chisora fights legitimately despite your efforts to devalue them. I'd pick him to win a close decision vs the man with the 3 belts too.

Ricky wrote: ↑05 Jun 2019, 09:39 Whytes massively underrated. I think he's the best HW in the world. I like Rivas, he has a good attitude. I backed him to beat Jennings by KO last time. He came good in the final round (iirc) but I felt it was a laboured performance. Whyte will be too hot for him imo.

Wow. On what basis do you form that opinion? No way Jose. He's definitely game.