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Briton Azim set for December return against Valenzuela
Undefeated British light-welterweight Adam Azim is set to meet Mexico’s Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela at London’s Copper Box on 4 December. The bout is understood to be an IBF title eliminator, with the winner expected to be in line for a title challenge in early 2027.
Azim, 24, has won all 15 of his professional fights, 12 by stoppage, and is coming off a third-round stoppage of Steve Claggett in May. Valenzuela, 32, has a record of 32 wins, five losses and one draw, and has twice lost world-title eliminators; the IBF belt is vacant after Richardson Hitchins moved up to welterweight. A win could also keep alive the prospect of an all-British fight between Azim and WBC champion Dalton Smith in 2027.
In short
- Azim is scheduled to fight Valenzuela in London on 4 December.
- The contest is understood to be an IBF title eliminator.
- Victory could set up a title challenge and boost hopes of a fight with Dalton Smith.
Explained simply
Light-welterweight is a division in professional boxing, where fighters compete within a set weight range. The IBF is one of boxing’s organisations that awards world titles, and an eliminator is a fight that can put its winner in line to challenge for a title.
Adam Azim is an undefeated British boxer, while Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela is an experienced Mexican contender. The IBF belt is vacant after its former champion, Richardson Hitchins, moved to another weight division.
Azim and fellow Briton Dalton Smith hold separate routes to world titles, with Smith the WBC champion. A future fight between them could bring together two British contenders, but it would depend on their results and title paths.