Adam Azim faces former world champion Sergey Lipinets at the OVO Arena Wembley tonight, as he takes the next step in his professional career.
Born in Slough, Azim was ranked as the world’s No. 1 Youth Amateur at welterweight before his professional debut in 2020, and he hasn’t looked back since. A debut victory against Ed Harrison has culminated in a record of 12 fights and 12 wins – nine of those coming by way of knockout.
In 2023, the rising star stopped Franck Petitjean in the tenth to secure the European super-lightweight title, which he defended in London last February. He vacated this title two months later, and his last fight came in October when he defeated Ohara Davies. Now, he takes a step up to face Lipinets, former IBF title-holder at 140lbs.
Undefeated 22-year-old Azim stopped his last challenger Davies with a powerful left hook having dominated him from the first round. However, Lipinets offers a different proposition.
The Kazakhstan-born fighter, aged 35, has established himself as a premier contender at the top of the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions, and his last bout was a stunner against Azim’s compatriot and former gym-mate Robbie Davies Jr. – which Lipinets won via unanimous decision.
What time does Adam Azim vs Sergey Lipinets start in the UK?
Azim, trained by Shane McGuigan – son of boxing icon Barry McGuigan – will face off against Lipinets at the OVO Wembley Arena, London, on Saturday, February 1. The event is set to begin at roughly 7pm GMT, and while the pair’s ring walk is unconfirmed, it is expected to be around 10pm, though this is subject to how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch the fight
The young sensation’s bout against Lipinets, as well as all of the undercard fights – one of which sees a Commonwealth title on the line – are available to watch on Sky Sports or streamed via NowTV.
However, those hoping to tune in will need an active subscription. Sky Sports packages start from just £22/month, with NowTV offering no contract subscriptions and memberships starting from £14.99/month.
The full fight card
- Adam Azim vs Sergey Lipinets at super lightweight
- Callum Simpson vs Elvis Ahorgah at super middleweight – for the Commonwealth title
- Jeamie Tshikeva vs Michael Webster at heavyweight
- Joel Kodua vs Lloyd Germain at light middleweight
- Lucas Roehrig vs Milosav Savic at heavyweight
- Alfie Clegg vs Sebastian Alejandro Castillo at bantamweight
- Scott Forrest vs Aurel Ignat at heavyweight
Quotes corner
Adam Azim: “This fight is another step up for me. I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with a great fighter like Sergey Lipinets. He is a former world champion. He has fought some of the biggest names out there.
“I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s achieved in the sport, but it’s my time now. This is a chance for me to show that I belong at world level and that I’m ready to face the best. Lipinets has had a great career but on February 1 he’s standing in my way. This is the next step of my journey and nothing is going to stop me from achieving my dreams.”
Sergey Lipinets: “I’m glad that Adam has accepted this fight. A lot of top fighters have refused to face me. I’ve never turned down a fight and this one is make or break for me. Adam is young and strong but he doesn’t have my experience. I’ve seen it all. May the best man win.”
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