Adam Azim’s reported fight against Gabriel “Gollaz” Valenzuela is a dangerous test for a contender whose knockout streak has moved faster than his résumé. Azim can punch, but he remains largely untested against fighters with Valenzuela’s experience at the top end of the 140-pound division.
Azim and Valenzuela are set to meet on December 4 at London’s Copper Box Arena in a 12-round IBF junior welterweight eliminator, The Ring reports. The bout is expected to headline a Boxxer-promoted card, with the winner hoping to fight for the vacant IBF title in the first half of 2027.
Valenzuela’s losses to Subriel Matias and Lindolfo Delgado in 2025 could lead some to dismiss him as an opponent who falls short when the stakes rise. That overlooks what he brings against Azim. The Mexican contender has shared the ring with two established fighters at 140 and carries enough power to punish mistakes.
Azim (15-0, 12 KOs) has stopped his last six opponents, most recently Steve Claggett in the third round on May 30. His streak also includes wins over Sergey Lipinets, Ohara Davies, Kurt Scoby, Enock Poulsen and Franck Petitjean.
Those victories have built Azim’s profile, but they haven’t established how he’ll respond if a dangerous opponent takes his shots and makes him fight under pressure. Lipinets and Davies were recognizable names, but neither represented the kind of peak contender Azim could face if he wins a world title.
Valenzuela (32-5-1, 18 KOs) returned from his defeats to Matias and Delgado by stopping Rogelio Laguna in May. His knockout record doesn’t suggest he’s the most devastating puncher in the division, but Azim can’t afford to assume his own power will end the fight before Valenzuela has a chance to land.
The question is what happens if Azim’s early speed and combinations don’t settle matters. Against a more experienced opponent, he may have to manage distance for 12 rounds, defend after throwing, and take shots without losing his composure. His previous wins haven’t given fans a clear answer about how he’ll handle that kind of fight.
The IBF title picture remains uncertain after Delgado failed to travel to Riyadh for his scheduled vacant-title fight against Arthur Biyarslanov. It’s unclear whether that bout will be rescheduled. The Ring reports that the Azim-Valenzuela winner will hope to fight for the belt, rather than guaranteeing that the winner will get the opportunity.
A convincing win would be a significant step for Azim and could bring him closer to a future domestic fight with WBC champion Dalton Smith. But that’s a conversation for later. First, Azim has to get past an opponent who has fought at a level he has yet to reach.
If there is a spot on Azim’s resume where the wheels could come off, this is it. Azim looks like a world-beater when guys freeze in front of him or let him dictate the tempo with his hand speed. Steve Claggett usually brings relentless pressure, but he walked straight into Azim’s kitchen and got dismantled early.
Sergey Lipinets and Ohara Davies had recognizable names, but neither guy had the legs or the work rate left to make Azim uncomfortable. Azim has essentially been having target practice against stationary or faded opposition.
Valenzuela is a completely different proposition. He is durable, he knows how to survive rough patches, and he carries genuine power. More importantly, he has shared the ring with Subriel Matias and Lindolfo Delgado. When you have stood in the pocket with punchers like that, nothing Azim throws is going to shock you.
The real question mark around Azim has always been his defense and composure when things stop going his way. He tends to admire his work after firing combinations, he pulls straight back with his chin in the air, and he has not had to prove he has a world-class chin of his own. If Valenzuela eats his early shots, marches through the fireworks, and lands a heavy counter in rounds four or five, we are going to find out immediately what Azim is made of.
If Azim gets dragged into the trenches and has to fight off the back foot with a bruised face and an empty gas tank, he could easily get unraveled. It is the first time he faces someone who will not care about the hype and will still be throwing bombs in the second half of the fight.