The European Boxing Union (EBU) revealed today that top super lightweight prospect Adam Azim will make his first bid for meaningful hardware when he faces champion Franck Petitjean on November 18th in Wolverhampton.
BOXXER has yet to reveal the show, so no word on the supporting cast.
It’s a remarkably quick turnaround for Azim, who’s less than two weeks removed from passing his stiffest test to date with a unanimous decision over Aram Fanyan. Considering he fought five times in 2022 and had to sit out the middle portion of 2023 with injury, perhaps he’s just eager to make up for lost time. I certainly won’t complain about that sort of ambition.
France’s Petitjean (24-6-3, 6 KO) looks to be on the lower end of the “Euro champ” spectrum. He’s got a 2018 win over Andrea Scarpa under his belt, but he’s 2-2 in his last four with losses to Mohamed Mimoune and Enock Poulson. He also spent three years on the sidelines between April 2019 and 2022.
Still, not a bad opponent on a two-month turnaround, and Petitjean did edge out Samuel Molina last time out.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 18 Nov 2023, 07:49, edited 4 times in total.
Young wolf Adam Azim (9-0, 6 KO’s) is on the title trail: the 21-year-old heads to Wolverhampton on Saturday, November 18th to sink his teeth into defending EBU European Super Lightweight Champion Franck Petitjean (24-6-3, 6 KO’s), live and exclusive on Sky Sports.
“I am so excited for this fight - fighting for the EBU title in just my tenth fight is massive for me. I’m ready to put on a show and bring that belt home with me on November 18th,” said Azim.
Azim is gunning for European gold in just his tenth professional bout. If victorious, he will follow in the footsteps of his oft-cited inspiration ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed in winning an EBU title while barely into his twenties and will catapult himself towards major world title contention.
After winning the French national championship and mounting three successful defenses, southpaw Petitjean successfully stepped up to European level for his first stint as EBU super-lightweight level then challenged for the IBO world championship in 2018. He reclaimed the EBU title in June this year and will make the first defense of his second championship reign against Azim.
"I've always loved a challenge and the fact that I can take part in a major event abroad is very motivating. I'm looking forward to pushing Adam to the limit and, of course, returning to France victorious!" said Petitjean.
Also entering the wolf’s lair on November 18th is EBU European Middleweight Champion Matteo Signani (32-6-3, 12 KO’s). He will defend his title against the Black Country’s own Tyler Denny (17-2, 3 KO’s), who hails from nearby Birmingham and will have an enormous wolfpack of supporters behind him when he enters the ring.
Known as “Il Giaguaro” ('The Jaguar'), Italian veteran Signani has held the EBU Middleweight Championship twice, having reclaimed the belt in November with a TKO stoppage victory following a June technical decision loss. Signani is now 9-1 in his last ten outings.
Denny’s career resurgence in the last two years has thrilled British fight fans. The Midlands miracle man is 4-0 under the BOXXER banner, with three of those wins being successful English Middleweight Championship bouts, and now steps up another level and looks to add the European title to his collection.
"I feel very good and I will be stronger than ever for the challenge with Tyler Denny. I respect him and I have to recognize that he's a tough guy for challenging me, but I'm Il Giaguaro, the champion, and I will stay that way for a long time to come. It will be a war - blood, sweat, glory!" said Signani.
Title challenger Denny said, "I’m expecting the hardest fight of my career but I’m more than ready and more than capable. I'm going to have an army of fans with me on fight night and the atmosphere is going to be incredible. I will become European champion on November 18th - that belt is staying in the Midlands!"
Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO, said, “The journey with Adam Azim reaches new heights with every outing. Boxing knows what an incredible talent he is and to be challenging for the European title at 21 years of age, in just his tenth professional outing, speaks volumes about his ability inside the ring and the great work done by the BOXXER matchmaking team outside it.
“Franck Petitjean has a lot of experience and is the toughest opponent Azim will have faced to date. It’s a huge test but if he passes it then the sky really is the limit - we’ll be looking at world title opportunities for him next year as he looks to keep that promise he made to Amir Khan and win a world title even quicker than he did.
“The Tyler Denny story is having another incredible and definitely the biggest chapter added to it. Two years ago we looked at him and saw a boxer who had great potential but who hadn’t had the right opportunities at the right time. He’s gone 4-0 with BOXXER, he’s the English middleweight champion and now he’s stepping up for a European title. I honestly can’t wait to see if Tyler Denny can achieve something more boxers can only dream of. His army of supporters will be in full force on fight night.”
I don’t think either fight will be particularly competitive but I’ve always liked it when fighters fight for traditional belts so I’m not against the fights.
It does show though that the EBU belts don’t mean as much as they once did which is a real shame.
EBU belt is a great belt to have, I think what diluted and confused it for me was when the alphabet bodies starting lobbing European belts too. Never seen a European title in the same light since Kash Ali won (an alphabet) one.
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑07 Nov 2023, 10:47
Riakporhe will fight Dylan Bregeon on the undercard.
Beggars belief that he pulled out of the Opetaia purse bids.
I know they’ll be planning a fight with CBS but what happens if CBS loses to Masternak? CBS will have a rematch clause and will still owe Okolie a rematch.
Top cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe returns to the ring on Saturday, November 18th as he looks to maintain his unbeaten record and remain on course for a world title challenge as part of the BOXXER: WOLVES AT THE DOOR event taking place at The Halls in Wolverhampton and airing live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.
Standing opposite him on fight night will be former French national cruiserweight champion and two-time EBU European Cruiserweight Championship challenger Dylan Bregeon, who has previously taken WBO world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith and newly crowned British and Commonwealth Champion Isaac Chamberlain the distance on previous visits to the UK.
WBO ranked #1 Riakporhe joins a show in Wolves topped by a European title doubleheader as young phenom Adam Azim challenges EBU super lightweight champion Franck Petitjean and Tyler Denny aims to continues his Cinderella story as he challenges EBU middleweight champion Matteo Signani.
Rising Welsh star Rhys Edwards is also set for action in a featherweight fight with Walsall’s former British and Commonwealth champion Brad Foster, while local stars Dylan Cheema, Nyall Berry, Gully Power and Tion Gibbs get their chance to shine on the big stage as BOXXER and Sky Sports return to the Midlands for another unmissable night of boxing.
“A lot has happened since I’ve been away but on November 18th I am back and reminding everyone why I am the number one contender in this division.” said Riakporhe.
Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and founder, said: “It’s been a frustrating few months for us after we did have a world title agreed in France in September. Fortunately, Richard is in a great position and we expect Richard will channel that into his performance on November 18th and come back to the ring with a bang to remind fans - and his fellow cruiserweights - what he’s all about.
“It’s such an exciting time for the cruiserweight division particularly in the UK. We have Chris Billam-Smith defending his World title against Mateusz Masternak in Bournemouth on December 10, Lawrence Okolie preparing for his shot at redemption, and Richard Riakporhe as the WBO’s number one contender waiting for the mandatory to be called. 2024 is going to be an incredible year for the cruiserweights as we look forward to some massive fights between these three men.”
Riakporhe’s undefeated professional career includes tenure as British and WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight champion as well as a win over current WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith, the only loss on Billam-Smith’s record.
I've watched shows at the Civic Hall before but for some reason do not remember it looking as good a venue as this. I know it doesn't hold many but the 3 tiered thing looks mint.
jameswilson wrote: ↑18 Nov 2023, 15:21
I've watched shows at the Civic Hall before but for some reason do not remember it looking as good a venue as this. I know it doesn't hold many but the 3 tiered thing looks mint.
Had a massive revamp. Been closed for along time. Good to see shows back their. Been to it loads cracking venue.
jameswilson wrote: ↑18 Nov 2023, 15:21
I've watched shows at the Civic Hall before but for some reason do not remember it looking as good a venue as this. I know it doesn't hold many but the 3 tiered thing looks mint.
Had a massive revamp. Been closed for along time. Good to see shows back their. Been to it loads cracking venue.
