Hamza ‘King’ Azeem is planning to stamp his authority on the super middleweight division.
He returns to action at the Eastside Rooms, on Woodcock Street in Birmingham, where BCB Promotions are holding another fight night, on Saturday, September 2.
Azeem resumes his efforts, just over four months on from his second pro contest, with a paid record that remains at 2-0, after a couple of points successes.
The 23-year-old Brummie southpaw, who is from Kings Heath, turned pro a year ago, beating Paul Cummings, over-the-distance, in a four-rounder.
He won three of the four rounds, to have his hand raised through a 39-37 scoreline, on another BCB offering, at the H Suite in Edgbaston.
Azeem put on a complete display to overcome fellow left-hander MJ Hall, which resulted in a 40-36 points whitewash, after the final bell, at Wolverhampton’s Hangar Events Venue.
He’s now looking to go one better and land a maiden TKO, as a pro, having only previously registered one stoppage, which was on his amateur debut, at the age of 15.
His amateur career culminated in 11 bouts and seven victories, representing Studio (Birmingham) and later Bartley Green Boxing Club.
The married father-of-one also works as a prison officer, operating the holding cells at Birmingham Crown Court, and is led by his old Bartley Green BC coach, Dave Clarke.
Azeem said: “I’ve been out for a few months, because I missed another date. I was actually due to box at the Eastside Rooms, on June 17, but I got ill.
“I had the flu and a cough, so I had to pull out, because I wasn’t going to get better in time. I was still ill, on the night of the show, so I was tucked up in bed, watching it on YouTube!
“I wasn’t feeling well before my (pro) debut, too, but I got over that and fought on. I need to be 100 per cent, so I can show that I’m improving with every performance.
“If I was going in there just to get the win, I wouldn’t learn anything. I’m getting fitter, each time, and I’ve been pushing myself in training.
“I knew that I was going to box in September, so I want to get this done and get another one, for definite, by the end of the year, perhaps even two.
“In my last fight, MJ Hall was a good opponent, but I really don’t know why I held back so much. I want to show more aggression this time.
“To get the stoppage is a target and challenge for me. I do need the rounds, but I know that I have the fitness to do eight rounds, in sparring, so I’m not worried.
“I’m locked in and focussed, so watch this space. I’m determined to go through the levels, build up my ranking and move fast.”
Tickets for the Eastside Rooms bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.