KHAN CAUTION FOR AZIM’S WORLD TITLE AIM

FORMER world champion Amir Khan has warned rising star Adam Azim (left) not to rush his journey to a world title shot, after his coach claimed Azim should be “catapulted up the rankings” after his impressive display against Rylan Charlton last Saturday (26).

Azim took his professional record to 7-0 with his second-round win over Charlton in London last weekend.

The 20-year-old has been described by his coach Shane McGuigan as “the most talented fighter I’ve ever trained”.

“He needs more tests, he needs more rounds. We thought we were going to get that today with Rylan Charlton and we didn’t,” added McGuigan, who has trained the likes of former world champions David Haye, Carl Frampton and Josh Taylor. “So he’s just got to get catapulted up through the rankings.”

After witnessing Azim headline a show for the first time, promoter Ben Shalom declared fans were “witnessing history” and that “British boxing has a future superstar on its hands”.

Khan has backed Azim to be a world champion at a young age but said he could come unstuck if he fights an experienced boxer too early in his career.

“You don’t want to move him too quick, because you can just get beat by someone with more experience,” said Khan, who became a world champion at the age of 22. “Sometimes you need more than power and speed, you need to have the experience under your belt.

“So I think you still have to keep him moving steadily, step by step. I’m sure he will be one of the youngest world champions if he’s managed the right way.”

Azim, who intends to be one of the sport’s youngest-ever world champions, has targeted former lightweight world champion George Kambosos Jr as a future opponent.

“If I had a dream fight right now... George Kambosos would be a great fight for me,” Azim said. “He’s a former unified world champion so for me to beat him, that would be a statement.”

He added: ““My aim is to become the youngest world champion, but even 22 would be a great age. Amir Khan got his at 22.

“My trainer Shane McGuigan believes in me, that I’ve got the ability to fight world-class fighters soon.

“I could be fighting some names that are probably just finishing their careers. I can grab someone like that, keep getting experience, keep beating people with known names, so it keeps people on their feet.”