LONDON — British light-welterweight Adam Azim defeated Steve Claggett by third-round stoppage in London on May 18, 2024. The bout took place at OVO Arena in Wembley.

Azim drew blood from Claggett’s nose with an uppercut in the opening minutes of the fight. In the second round, Azim landed a right punch that stunned Claggett and followed with a right hook that dropped him heavily in the closing seconds. Referee Marcus McDonnell stopped the contest in the third round after Claggett absorbed a succession of clean shots and offered little resistance.

Azim entered the ring wearing a black fedora with a white-trimmed brim to Michael Jackson’s 'Beat It.' His professional record improved to 15 wins from 15 fights. Claggett, a 36-year-old Canadian boxer, suffered his ninth loss in 51 professional bouts. He had previously been stopped only once as a professional and went the distance with Teofimo Lopez in a 2023 world-title challenge.

"Thank you for everyone coming down to support me. Thank you for the British and Pakistani supporting me," Adam Azim said. "I had to train extra hard for 12 weeks because I knew Steve was very strong," Azim added.

Azim, nicknamed 'The Assassin,' has been positioned by his team for a potential shot at the vacant IBF light-welterweight world title. The IBF has ordered Lindolfo Delgado of Mexico to face Russian-Canadian Arthur Biyarslanov for the belt. Azim could face the winner of that bout. He has also long been linked with a potential domestic fight against fellow Briton Dalton Smith.

"I'd be doing something terribly wrong if he doesn't win a world title," trainer Shane McGuigan said. "I don't just think he is going to win a world title. I think he will be unified and a multi-weight world champion," McGuigan added.