by Dan Azeez says he goes into Saturday’s fight against unbeaten rival Lewis Edmondson with “a vendetta” as he looks to avenge an earlier amateur defeat.
Azeez faces Edmondson live at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday Sky Sportsbefore Adam Azim, who fights against Ohara Davies.
The 35-year-old Londoner has a career professional record of 20 wins, one draw and one loss, while Hampshire native Edmondson has a winning record of 9-0.
However, it is a fight years ago, in the pair’s amateur days, that still burns in Azeez’s mind.
“He beat me in the amateurs, a split decision,” Azeez said Sky Sports.
“I just remember he was a skilful lad, he won a couple of national titles. He was the better boxer. I was just braver, had the guts and so on. Over three laps he was the more technical.”
“It’s different for amateurs and professionals. With professionals, you’re actually trying to hurt someone, bring someone down. Amateurs are all about collecting points. We’ll see.”
“I always have a vendetta against people who beat me in the amateurs. If I get the chance to fight her, I’ll be more than happy.”
“A skilled fighter, I think he thinks now is his time. I know he will be hungry and prepared. Because I remember the situation where you were on the rise and fighting against someone who was a little more experienced. “It really motivated me and prepared me for the fight.
“Lewis comes to show: ‘I’m the new kid on the block. He’s had his time, he’s on his way down.’ I’m here to show that’s not the case, buddy. And that’s it.
Azeez says he wants to prove he is not “on the way down” as he aims for his first professional win in three fights
In his last fight, Azeez faced Croatia’s Hrvoje Sep at Selhurst Park in June, a clash that ended in a disappointing draw. This is even more true since it was his comeback fight after losing to Joshua Buatsi for the first time as a professional in February.
The Brit described his performance in that fight in September as a “terrible performance” but was pleased with a competitive fight.
“When I got there, it was more about proving something. As in, ‘You think you’re tough, I’m tougher.’ Instead of actually doing the work, winning.
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Highlights of the fight between Dan Azeez and Hrvoje Sep from the Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe undercard
“In boxing you are always learning. It was a good fight, a tough fight. But I’m happy. I would have rather had a fight like that than someone I just knocked out.”
“It was a tough fight. It was definitely not my best performance. A terrible performance on my part, if I’m honest.”
“I just got sucked into a fight like that. Mentally I wasn’t there. It wasn’t good.”
And what about his future if he secured the win against Edmondson on Saturday?
“It puts me back in the mix. Takes me back to where I want to be. First of all, put me back in the ‘W’ column.”
Dan Azeez meets Lewis Edmondson live at the Copper Box Arena in London on October 19th Sky Sports; Adam Azim will fight Ohara Davies on the same night. Stream boxing and more with NOW
