About Adam Azim, Johnny Nelson says, "At twenty-one, he's got stardust written all over him." I can't help but compare his journey to that of Naz (Naseem Hamed). Even though he doesn't have Naz's personality, h
e still has his excitement, punch, and fan base.According to Johnny Nelson, Adam Azim's "stardust" can propel him to the pinnacle of boxing, and his matches are akin to those of Prince Naseem Hamed.
It was Azim's tenth professional fight, but on Saturday he won the European super-lightweight title.
The 21-year-old's speed and energy was taxing for Petitjean from the start, as part of a superb display.
"It was controlled, it was mature," Nelson said.
"He had developed so much from his last two or three fights. A couple of fights ago I thought he was a little bit green, there's still a few holes in his armoury and he's still learning on the job. But this fight here he was on point, he was strong, he was sharp, he was focused, he wasn't intimidated.
"His pace was ridiculous, and that backflip was ridiculous. But it's well deserved and everything I've seen about Adam from being a young boy.
As part of an incredible performance, the 21-year-old's speed and intensity were difficult for Petitjean from the beginning.
Nelson remarked, "It was mature and under control."
From his previous two or three fights, he had grown significantly. I considered him to be a little bit green a few fights ago because he still had some gaps in his armor and was still learning on the job. However, in this particular bout, he was focused, strong, sharp, and unflappable."That backflip and his pace were both ridiculous. However, based on all I've seen of Adam since he was a young child, it's well deserved.
"He said he got into boxing because he had ADHD. You know, he just couldn't keep still. But he found boxing and that focused him to be to be the person he is today. No nonsense kind of kid.
"At 21 years old I've seen it before with fighters. I think he's got stardust written all over him. The journey he's on, it reminds me of Naz's (Naseem Hamed) journey. He might not have the Naz personality, but he has the punch power he had, the excitement, he has a fan base behind him. It was actually a good night and I thought it was going to be a tough night for him.
"I do believe he can be a world champion. We did The Gloves Are Off with him, Viddal Riley, Caroline Dubois, Ben Whittaker and these guys sat there and they called themselves The Avengers because they've got talent, they've got potential world titles, they've got the next in written all over them.
"Adam was very quiet, very cool, very matter-of-fact. His ambitions are the champions out there now, and that probably won't happen for maybe 18 months, two years. But to even think that way, he puts himself in that category and I think European level will be a distant memory.
"I remember when Naz did it, he boxed for a European title and then when he got into the world scene it wasn't as a big deal, and I think Adam's going to be that same kind of fighter."
Azim has revealed previously how Amir Khan represents one of his heroes.
For Nelson though, a likeness to Naz rather than Khan is more apparent.
"He doesn't actually [remind me of a young Amir Khan]," Nelson said.
"It's a mix between a young Amir Khan and Prince Naseem Hamed because Amir Khan, his punch output was ridiculous. But Adam seems to be a more powerful puncher than Amir Khan.
"Compared to Naz, I think he has the punch power, might not have that one knockout punch at the moment, but the only difference is he's not got the Naz personality. He's a calm level-headed young man. So he's making his own path.
"To be inspired by people like Amir Khan and Prince Naseem and people like that. This is a great thing, a great start and a great line to want to cross."
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