There must be something in the light heavyweight water in this country. Dan Azeez joins Anthony Yarde, Joshua Boatsi, Craig Richards and Callum Smith in a British cohort the envy of the world.
Azeez models himself on Marvin Hagler. He shaves his head, wears the same shorts. He is not a southpaw but he basis his approach to boxing on Hagler’s, which is never a bad thing.
Especially since his European title challenge against Frenchman Thomas Faure in Paris might require him to do what Hagler did to Alan Minter all those years ago in London and take it out of the officials’ hands.
Azeez is doing it the conventional way, winning the British and Commonwealth titles before facing off for the European crown. Though he is 33 and turned pro late, that is no impediment. It’s about wear and tear, and Azeez has few miles on the clock.
I rate him highly. We had him in our gym sparring with cruiserweight Chris Billam-Smith. He knuckled down impressively and got through his work. He values every session. He is an aggressive boxer. Not a devastating puncher but hits hard enough to gain the respect of opponents.
The European title is his entry into the big league. He is maturing nicely and a win against the light-hitting Faure would project Azeez into the public’s consciousness. He does not dance around or waste time circling the ring. He gets after his opponent, which I also like.
Top of the bill in Paris is Tony Yoka who was born and raised five minutes from the La Villette arena in the north of the French capital. Yoka is looking to re-establish his career after a first loss ten months ago to Martin Bakole. It was close, a majority decision, and Bakole is a world class operator good enough to give all the top guys problems.
That said I’m not sure Yoka is suited to the pro game. He was fortunate to pip Joe Joyce to gold at the Rio Olympics seven years ago and has yet to train on. Every fight at this stage is an examination and though Carlos Takam is on the slide he has enough experience to test Yoka.
Bakole stole his momentum. The fact it has taken ten months for Yoka to jump back in the ring is not a good sign. Yoka is talented but he needs to apply himself and tick a few boxes, the most important being desire, to show how much he really wants it. One defeat is not significant but a second would be.
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