Great Britain has two new European champions after junior welterweight Adam Azim 10-0 (7) and middleweight Tyler Denny 18-2-3 (1) both stopped their opponents at Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, England on Saturday night.
The 21-year-old Azim from Slough in Berkshire was too young, too fresh and too classy for French southpaw Franck Petitjean 24-7-3 (6) in their 12-round bout, dropping him with a body shot in the fifth and sending him down again in the 10th, forcing his corner to throw in the towel, The official time was 2:17.
Azim was deducted one point in the ninth round for a low blow but it proved to be academic.
“I’m feeling amazing,” Azim said. “I want to thank my team and the main man Shane McGuigan for getting me to this point.
“[Petitjean] was really tough, I knew I couldn’t stop him in the early rounds, this was a development fight for me. I had to chop the tree down and I did that.
“I could have gone another 15 rounds then.”
In a well-matched fight southpaw Denny, 32, of Rowley Regis in the West Midlands scored the first knockout of his professional career when Italy’s Matteo Signani 32-7-2 (12) was unable to continue in the eighth round of their scheduled 12-round bout due to a cut eye. The official time of the stoppage was 0:08.
The hometown crowd seemed to have a positive effect on Denny, urging him on when the going got tough.
“It’s unreal, I never would have dream something like this, I’m lost for words, I couldn’t do this without them,” Denny said. “I’ve fought everywhere and this is the best place!”
Denny took the opportunity to call out Chris Eubank Jr, who is expected to face Conor Benn next.
“Where’s Eubank Jr at? Come on, man. I’ll fight anybody!” Denny said.
Elsewhere on the card cruiserweight contender Richard Riakporhe 17-0 (13) has an early night against 29-year-old Frenchman Dylan Bregeon 13-5-1 (3), knocking him out in the second round of their scheduled eight round bout.
Bregeon never looked like he was going to put up much resistance but after 10 months on the sidelines it was important for Riakporhe to go through the process of a training camp and stepping through the ropes even if it amounts to less than five minutes worth or work on the night.
Bregeon was down from a right hand in the second round and as 33-year-old Londoner Riakporhe moved in for the kill, the visitor’s corner threw in the towel. The time was 1:36.
Riakporhe is hoping to land a world title shot next year, possibly against old foe and current WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith 18-1 (12) who he defeated by 10-round split decision four years ago.
“I’m different, I’ve changed. I’ve been working with [coach] Angel Fernandez and he’s made me realise that in here I’m a totally different animal. I send a message to everybody,” said Riakporhe.
“Once I let those hands go it’s over. I only need two shots.”
He added: “When I first started I was infatuated by the attention and glamour, but I’ve switched my mindset.
“My coach said, ‘you have everything to go to the top and dominate’.
“You’re going to see better and better opponents.”
