Dan Azeez has not forgotten Ben Whittaker turning skilled in a blaze of publicity and claiming he’d beat the then-British champion in beneath 5 fights.
Azeez misplaced his title to Joshua Buatsi in February however would nonetheless urge Whittaker to take the battle with him.
Whittaker, an Olympic silver medallist in 2021 now 7-0 as an expert, is rising by means of the professional ranks and fights Ezra Arenyeka on Saturday at Selhurst Park, stay on Sky Sports activities.
South London’s Azeez is on the identical card, boxing Hrvoje Sep, a Croatian who was a stellar novice in his day and a two-time European medallist.
Azeez understands comparisons might be drawn between their respective opponents on the massive invoice.
“I don’t know, I’ll let the real boxing fans decide who’s a real fighter and a proper fighter and who’s not. I just do what I’ve got to do, fight who I’ve got to fight and he’s fighting who he’s got to fight,” he instructed Sky Sports activities. “However credit score to each of them, two undefeated guys.
“[Arenyeka] is unknown, probably a delicate contact however he won’t be a delicate contact so we do not know. So you have to give Ben the credit score for going into the unknown.
“They’re both characters so I’m sure it’ll be a good fight, good build-up.”
Whittaker has brought about a stir in skilled boxing together with his extravagant showboating, knockout wins and unalloyed confidence.
It has caught the general public’s consideration, and positively Azeez’s who’s been one of many fighters Whittaker known as out immediately.
“Do you know what’s so funny, remember [him wanting to fight] me under five fights,” Azeez mentioned. “He just didn’t.
“What battle is he on now?”
But the Londoner added: “They’re transferring him alongside the way in which they’re transferring him alongside. If we meet we meet. For now I’ve simply obtained to consider Sep.”
Azeez cannot dwell an excessive amount of on future choices within the thrilling light-heavyweight division. He totally expects Sep to be an actual problem over eight rounds on Saturday.
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From dancing and posturing to ring gymnastics, check out the very best of Whittaker’s showboating
“Due to the respect I have for Sep, the history he has and the pedigree he comes with I can only focus on Sep at the moment. If it doesn’t go right on Saturday for me, that’s all out of the question. So it’s Sep that I’m focusing on,” Azeez mentioned.
“He doesn’t know what a step back is so it’s going to be interesting,” he continued. “If I want to prove that I’m one of the best in the country let alone the world I have to be fighting this kind of opposition and getting the job done.
“I am at that stage now, there is not any messing round. If I can not do it now I am by no means going to have the ability to do it.
“He gave it to Bolotniks and Bolotniks is a good fighter,” Azeez warned. “Sep took him to the wire in his fight so I can only expect fireworks come June 15.”
Last remaining tickets for Billam-Smith vs Riakporhe out there through Boxxer.com.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title towards Richard Riakporhe at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park, stay on Sky Sports activities on Saturday June 15; or Stream with NOW
