BoxRec

Adam Azim to fight Steve Claggett on May 30

Adam Azim’s next opponent will be Canadian contender Steve Claggett.

They will box on the BBC in the IK on Saturday, May 30, in Azim’s first outing of the year after his bout in January with Gustavo Lemos fell through at the 11th hour when both boxers suffered hand injuries in their final preparations.

Azim, trained by coach Shane McGuigan, is one of the sport’s bright prospects and the light-welterweight star is 24 and moved to 14-0 (11 KOs) with victory over Kurt Scoby in London last November.

Canadian Claggett, 36, is 40-8-2 (28 KOs) and went 12 rounds with Teofimo Lopez in June 2024, losing a wide decision. He has won twice since, scoring two stoppages against modest opposition.

“This is another big step forward for me on my journey to a world title,” Azim told the BBC.

“Steve Claggett is a tough, experienced fighter, he gave Teofimo Lopez his toughest fight, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge I want.

“I’m ready to put on a great performance and show everyone why I’m destined for the top.”

While Claggett didn’t give Lopez his toughest fight, Azim will doubtless use the fight as a measuring stick to see how he stacks up against one of the best fighters in the world.

Announced: Adam Azim will face Steve Claggett on May 30th in London, UK.

ADAM AZIM SET FOR RING RETURN AGAINST STEVE CLAGGETT MAY 30

Adam Azim will make his BBC debut against former world title challenger Steve Claggett at Wembley Arena on May 30.

Azim (14-0, 11 KOs) had been scheduled to face Gustavo Daniel Lemos in January but the fight was cancelled after both men sustained injuries during training camp.

It means the junior welterweight from Slough has not boxed since he stopped Kurt Scoby in the final round of their clash on the undercard of Conor Benn’s victory over Chris Eubank Jr in November.

But he will draw a line under that six-month lay-off by taking on Claggett in his first fight of Boxxer’s deal with the BBC.

Experienced Canadian visitor Claggett (40-8-2, 28 KOs) dropped a decision when challenging Teofimo Lopez for the WBO 140-pound title in June 2024 but has racked up two stoppage wins since.

Now, a year after The Ring first reported Team Azim's interest in the fight, 36-year-old Claggett will face the 24-year-old puncher live on BBC One.

"This is another big step forward for me on my journey to a world title," Azim said via a press release Wednesday.

"Steve Claggett is a tough, experienced fighter, he gave Teofimo Lopez his toughest fight, and that's exactly the kind of challenge I want.

"I'm ready to put on a great performance and show everyone why I'm destined for the top."

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

CaptainSpacerod wrote: ↑29 Apr 2026, 13:12 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

i understand people not liking this fight - clagett isnt a name opponent and doesnt have much of a shot. but i have watched claggett for a while and he is a super tough gritty guy. a lot of his losses were in fights on the road where he gave his opponent hell but got unfortunate with judging. his stoppage loss was also loooong ago and he's been the distance vs good fighters ever since.

limited skills but very fit and with some good body punching. hes not bad as a guy who can quite possible make azim work hard, albeit probably in losing every round, so ya in that sense its not an interesting fight from a competitive standpoint. but he is the type of guy who would be decent to fight as a tuneup before a bigger one.

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

It’s not the worst match up.

Hopefully he can be out again quick barring any injuries.

Is this their final BBC show then?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Apr 2026, 15:52 Hopefully he can be out again quick barring any injuries.

None of em seem to be out again quickly though do they.

Inoue is the only elite guy I can think of who boxes more than twice a year. Come
To think of it Nick Ball was very busy for a year or two as well.

Maybe the advances in sports science means guys can train harder in camp than they could years ago and consequently they need a much longer break between camps ?

Azim to fight Claggett live on BBC in May

Adam Azim will make his return from injury against Steve Claggett live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on 30 May in London at the Wembley Arena.

The undefeated Briton was scheduled to fight Gustavo Lemos in January before picking up an injury.

Azim was expected to reschedule that bout but the Argentinian decided to withdraw from the opportunity.

Azim v Claggett will be live on BBC Two from 21:00 until 23:00 BST, with the undercard live on BBC iPlayer.

"This is another big step forward for me on my journey to a world title," Azim said.

"Steve Claggett is a tough, experienced fighter, he gave Teofimo Lopez his toughest fight, and that's exactly the kind of challenge I want.

"I'm ready to put on a great performance and show everyone why I'm destined for the top."

Canada's Claggett, 36, has a record of eight losses, two draws and 40 wins, giving him a big experience advantage over 23-year-old Azim.

Claggett has one fight at world-title level, losing to then WBO light-welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in 2024 on points and has fought just twice since then.

Azim, who is unbeaten in 14 fights with 11 knockouts, is hopeful a win over Claggett will move him up the IBF rankings as he seeks to secure a world-title shot in the next 12 months.

American Richardson Hitchins recently vacated his IBF belt following a move in divisions and signing with Zuffa Boxing.

In the wake of Hitchins' decision, the IBF declared Mexico's Lindolfo Delgado the number one challenger to fight for the vacant title next.

Lauren Price digs deep to beat Stephanie Pineiro on points live on BBC One in April

Bit ambitious booking Wembley Arena for this with only a months notice, wonder who they will put on the show as well ?

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Apr 2026, 13:44 i understand people not liking this fight - clagett isnt a name opponent and doesnt have much of a shot. but i have watched claggett for a while and he is a super tough gritty guy. a lot of his losses were in fights on the road where he gave his opponent hell but got unfortunate with judging. his stoppage loss was also loooong ago and he's been the distance vs good fighters ever since.

limited skills but very fit and with some good body punching. hes not bad as a guy who can quite possible make azim work hard, albeit probably in losing every round, so ya in that sense its not an interesting fight from a competitive standpoint. but he is the type of guy who would be decent to fight as a tuneup before a bigger one.

Knowledgeable post, and accurate IMO.

I’m happy it’s on BBC hope they keep involved in the sport

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 05:16

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Apr 2026, 13:44 i understand people not liking this fight - clagett isnt a name opponent and doesnt have much of a shot. but i have watched claggett for a while and he is a super tough gritty guy. a lot of his losses were in fights on the road where he gave his opponent hell but got unfortunate with judging. his stoppage loss was also loooong ago and he's been the distance vs good fighters ever since.

limited skills but very fit and with some good body punching. hes not bad as a guy who can quite possible make azim work hard, albeit probably in losing every round, so ya in that sense its not an interesting fight from a competitive standpoint. but he is the type of guy who would be decent to fight as a tuneup before a bigger one.

Knowledgeable post, and accurate IMO.

It's a reasonable 10 round non title fight in between defences.

Is it something which is going to propel him to a title shot?

Is he standing still or going backwards?

Both Azim and Smith were being talked about in the same breath, now look where Smith is, and look where Azim is

Coco wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 07:18 Both Azim and Smith were being talked about in the same breath, now look where Smith is, and look where Azim is

Azim is way younger than Smith, he has plenty of time.

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

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 07:27

Coco wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 07:18 Both Azim and Smith were being talked about in the same breath, now look where Smith is, and look where Azim is

Azim is way younger than Smith, he has plenty of time.

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

Azim is obviously a talented fighter, but hasn't been managed well.
Would be very different with Fast Car or FW

Coco wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 07:29 Azim is obviously a talented fighter, but hasn't been managed well.
Would be very different with Fast Car or FW

With Frank he'd have been the WBO champion by now

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 08:09

Coco wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 07:29 Azim is obviously a talented fighter, but hasn't been managed well.
Would be very different with Fast Car or FW

With Frank he'd have been the WBO champion by now

This may 30th date was supposed to be the Troy v Simpson rematch. Shocking what Simpson/Shalom have done to Troy. Missed out on a world title shot, spot on the Fury undercard and stripped of his Euro belt. Simpson is way overweight and was never gonna be ready for the rematch and now hes pulled out again

smith is really just one fight ahead of azim (albeit it was a big fight), at like 5 years older. until beating matias he hadnt seperated himself.

azim should defo be more active though

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑29 Apr 2026, 13:44 i understand people not liking this fight - clagett isnt a name opponent and doesnt have much of a shot. but i have watched claggett for a while and he is a super tough gritty guy. a lot of his losses were in fights on the road where he gave his opponent hell but got unfortunate with judging. his stoppage loss was also loooong ago and he's been the distance vs good fighters ever since.

limited skills but very fit and with some good body punching. hes not bad as a guy who can quite possible make azim work hard, albeit probably in losing every round, so ya in that sense its not an interesting fight from a competitive standpoint. but he is the type of guy who would be decent to fight as a tuneup before a bigger one.

Nice summary. I like Claggett. Good honest pro.

I like his name. He’s now Claggy or the Claggster to me. Team Claggy