Adam Azim has a super lightweight fight against Steve Claggett at Wembley this weekend, with a potential world title shot on the line. But before he can reach the top, he must prove himself on a big occasion.
Talent is a given at world level. It is the rest of the package you have to work out to make it all the way to the top. I agree with his trainer, Shane McGuigan, that Adam Azim is the most gifted fighter we have had in the gym, and that includes the likes of Josh Taylor, George Groves, and Carl Frampton.
But they all proved they could handle the occasion to dominate opponents, to fight at pace for 12 rounds, and to weather a crisis when they had to. This is stuff you just have to learn. That is the point where Azim is now, making the necessary adjustments against an opponent who won't go away.
Steve Claggett went the distance with Teofimo Lopez for the WBO super lightweight title just two years ago. He is a veteran of 40 fights who knows his way around the ring in pressure bouts and who is capable of capitalising on any mistakes.
Azim is an exceptional speed merchant with a sharp jab and a whippy left hand. In the gym he looks a million dollars. Now he has to bring that to the big show. A win on Saturday is the gateway to a world title shot. It's about raising the level each time you fight.
That is why this is such a test for him. It's a different kind of challenge than he has faced before and he has to work it out. Azim will have to work hard to get Claggett under control. The Canadian is as honest as the day is long and is full of running despite his 36 years.
He will try to close Azim down, make him fight at a high pace. Azim has to solve the puzzle and put this guy away. We think this kid is special and want everybody else to see what we have seen in the gym.
A lot of people doubted Frampton and Taylor until they didn't. All great champions have to come to the party and produce every fight.
It will be interesting to see how Azim handles the whole event, knowing what's at stake. A win here will put him bang in the world title picture with a possible shot later this year.
He will definitely have a taste of that big fight pressure at Wembley, having to bring his best when it matters most at a venue steeped in history.
The scores against Lopez in Miami did not reflect Claggett's unstinting effort and courage. Lopez could not get him out of there. I believe Azim can, somewhere between rounds eight and 10.
