News

Adam Azim Knocks Down Santos Reyes On Way To Unanimous Decision Victory

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 12th February 2023.

Adam Azim vs Santos Reyes

Adam Azim dropped Nicaragua’s Santos Reyes on his way to a unanimous decision at Wembley Arena.

The 20-year-old super lightweight topped the Sky Sports card as BOXXER continue to build him into the star he increasingly looks like he deserves to be.

Reyes entered the ring undefeated, although this was his first fight outside of his home town of Managua. His attempts to settle into the action in the first were interrupted by Azim’s accuracy.

The away fighter’s shots looked slow motion compared to the Brit’s, and in the second round he was caught with a big right hand on his way in that that sent him on a slow stumble backwards and landed him on his backside. All credit to the recovery.

Azim was landing at will with his distinctive shots thrown from the hip – and the rest. Reyes, though, was still in there past the halfway stage, even flashing a little smile in the sixth. The fight was an advert for his chin as much as it was Azim’s skill

Some left hands from Reyes snuck through in the later stages. They weren’t dangerous in this fight, but could be in the next. Still, Azim dominated. He won on all three scorecards 100-89, and the banked rounds will do well for his development.

We’re yet to see Azim truly tested, and that’s more of a positive on his part than a negative on the matchmaking. His angles, speed, power, and charisma make it extremely hard to argue the comparisons to some British greats.

Zak Cheli vs Anthony Sims Jr – Super middleweight – 10 rounds

Zak Cheli outworked Sims Jr over ten rounds.

Sims Jr controlled the early stages with his slick style, but it was quickly eclipsed by Cheli’s work rate. The fight was a frustrating one at many points. Cheli was pushing the pace and winning rounds on pure effort. The American was all too happy all too often to do very little. Taking nothing away from Cheli, though, as his output was likely the main deterrent.

Sims came out swinging in the eighth and had his best round, but Cheli answered with big shots in the ninth, cementing his performance as the busier and heavier-hitting man. Unanimous decision, Cheli. Well-deserved.

Viddal Riley vs Anees Taj – Cruiserweight – 8 rounds

Viddal Riley finished his first eight-rounder in the fourth. Taj helped Riley by lunging in – every time he got there his face was met with a stiff jab or a quick right hand. He was there to fight, though, and his aggressive caution-to-the-wind style mixed well with Riley’s composure.

Taj had an impressive second round, ending it with a couple of clean shots that caught Riley’s attention. The third turned into a bit of a fire-fight, with both swinging big and Riley causing a huge gash on Taj’s left eye.

At the beginning of the fourth the doctor came in to have a look and it was called off despite Taj begging for ‘one more, one more.’ He was a more than worthy opponent and likely gained a few fans. Riley moves ahead. 8-0.

Tyler Denny vs Brad Pauls – English Middleweight Title

Denny put the belt that he won against River Wilson-Bent and retained against Brad Rea on the line against undefeated Pauls. And still…

After two tentative rounds, the champion turned up the heat and started to land shots that made Pauls feel the pace. That pattern remained throughout – a composed performance and dominant win. Pauls’ only hope in the final few rounds was a stoppage, and it didn’t come.

The cards read 97-93, 97-93, and 98-93.

Caroline Dubois vs Feriche Mashaury – Lightweight – 8 rounds

Caroline Dubois continues to knock at the door of the top level – and with power like hers it won’t be long until it’s forced open. She dropped Tanzania’s Mashaury in the second round, and finished proceedings in the third when referee Howard Foster stepped in after an unanswered flurry.

Her sixth win and fifth stoppage in a row. Mashaury has previously gone the distance with Tasha Jonas and has been stopped by Terri Harper and Chantelle Cameron.