Adam Azim returns to action on Saturday night, seeking a sixth straight knockout as he tries to prove he is ready to compete for world titles. On the opposite side sits Steve Claggett, who is expected to give the 24-year-old his toughest test to date and is capable of causing concern in the eyes of his promoter.

Azim remains undefeated after 14 professional fights and is well-positioned in both the IBF and WBO rankings, ranked No. 7 in the world with both sanctioning bodies and close to world title opportunities. This weekend he will headline the BOXXER event at the OVO Arena in London, broadcast live on BBC2.

The task of the “Killer” is the experienced Canadian Claggett, who has 50 professional fights under his belt, and especially went the distance with Teofimo Lopez, fighting for the WBO world title two years ago.

In an interview with Boxing News, Claggett’s promoter Camille Estephan warned that his protégé’s “tank of energy and gas” will test whether Azim is “for real”.

“We understand that Adam Azim is a very, very promising, good player, newborn player. We have done a lot of homework with him, but I think this is a really huge test for Adam. Steve Claggett will now be the measuring stick to show whether Adam Azim is the real deal and whether he is ready at the highest level.

“Steve Claggett has proven that he can perform at the highest level, he is no longer a newborn, emerging fighter, he is far from that. He wants to take advantage of this opportunity, so this is a very crucial fight for Claggett.

“When you get into a fight with Steve Claggett, they say he has the lungs to run two huge marathons, so he’ll have the energy and the gas tank to really test Adam. I think it’s going to be an amazing fight and I can’t wait to watch it.”

Azim-Claggett will take place on Saturday, May 30and on the final card, Joel Kodua and Will Harrison will fight for the English welterweight title.

Oleksandr Usyk may have escaped unscathed with his titles against Rico Verhoeven, but WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel believes Rico’s age and awkward style have exposed issues that could impact their expected clash later this year.

Kabayel, seen as the likely next challenger to Usyk’s WBC, WBA and IBF belts, said the 39-year-old champion had difficulty preparing for the Verhoeven fight because there was almost no boxing material available to study. The undefeated German heavyweight said uncertainty played a major role in Usyk’s complex evening in Egypt.

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Last updated: 27/05/2026 at 11:10

Canelo Alvarez hopes to return to competition in September and reclaim his world titles, and if he can do that, he’ll have another 168-pound titleholder waiting in the wings for a unification showdown.

When Alvarez lost the undisputed crown to Terence Crawford, the belts soon became fragmented following the American’s retirement. Since then, Jaime Munguia dethroned Armando Resendiz for the WBA belt, Osleys Iglesias stopped Pavel Silyagin for the IBF crown, and Christian Mbilli, whom Canelo will fight next, has been elevated to full champion.

On Saturday, Canelo’s last titles to date were won by, among others: Hamzah Sheeraz easily defeated Alem Begić to claim the vacant WBO super middleweight world title.

I’m talking to iFL TelevisionSheeraz promoter Frank Warren praised the efforts of both his fighter and his team at Queensberry Promotions.

“A lot of work has gone into it [Sheeraz] and I must tell you that we worked very strenuous to prepare for this world title match, very strenuous. There was a lot of lobbying and this was the best option you could get to win the world title – that’s what I call great matchmaking and properly managing someone’s career.

“I congratulate him, he did great and we will see what the next large fight will be.”

Warren then admitted Canelo would be the preferred next option for the Slough-born champion if he can defeat Mbilli in less than four months.

“I would think so [Canelo is next on Sheeraz’s radar]but Canelo has to win. We’ll see what Canelo has left in the tank. This will be compelling.”

Sheeraz has also been linked with joining Canelo-Mbilli, where he could accept another unification fight against Canelo’s stablemate and current WBA champion Munguia.