Azim stop Davies in career best performance

Adam Azim produced a career-best performance in an eight-round knockout of Ohara Davies. Azim scored two knockdowns, forcing the stoppage at 1:18 of the eighth round at the Copper Box Arena in London.  

Azim, 22, scored the first knockdown midway through the fifth round. A left hook caught Davies, 32, to the body, which resulted in a delayed reaction taking the knee. Davies was able to beat the count, but at this point was well behind on the scorecards. Davies demonstrated great heart and refused to wilt but had nothing to keep the fresher, younger, unbeaten foe at bay. 

Azim found the conclusive punch in the eighth. A left hook upstairs forced Davies to touch his right hand to the side of the head before he went to the canvas. Referee Mark Lyson issued his count before Davies corner called for the end of the fight. 

This could prove to be Davies' last time entering the ring as a professional boxer.

"I've had my time in the sport of boxing for ten years. This might be the end of my boxing career. Stated Davies, “I still have my faculties. I'm honoured it came against Adam Azim".  

"I want to fight Dalton Smith next year," insisted Azim. “I want to fight Harlem Eubank next year. But listen, Davies is tougher than all these fighters are."

Anthony Yarde, the former two-time title challenger, earned his third straight victory, a ten-round decision over Ralf Vilcans. Referee Victor Loughlin scored the bout for Yarde 98-92, who was coming off an eight-month layoff.

Yarde knocked down Vilcans within 15 seconds with the first punch of the fight but could not secure the knockout he sought. Yarde hopes to face long-time rival Joshua Buatsi in 2025 or former opponent unified WBA light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev. 

Lewis Edmondson defeated Dan Azeez to win the British and Commonwealth titles. It was a close contest that saw Edmondson narrowly defeat Azeez by a majority decision. The judges' scorecards reflected that 114-114, 114-113, and 115-112 for Edmondson. 

South African Tulani Mbenge defeated Michael Mckinson in their twelve-round welterweight contest. Mbenge overcame a cut over his left eye to prevail on the judge's scorecards 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111.

Former WBA bantamweight champion Shannon Courtenay suffered her second loss in three fights against hand-picked Catherine Tacone in their six-round featherweight bout 58-56.