Pride, a powerful driving force in boxing, often obstructs honesty and causes more harm than good. When a significant fight fails to materialize during negotiations, the actual reason behind the impasse is rarely disclosed due to the pride of all parties involved—promoters, managers, and boxers. Instead of the truth, we are consistently presented with a convenient explanation or excuse that allows both sides to part ways without compromising their pride or reputation.
The thought resurfaced when the European Boxing Union (EBU) ordered Adam Azim and Dalton Smith to fight. Initially, it appeared to be an exciting clash between promising boxers. However, this anticipation quickly faded due to two key factors: firstly, the rival promoters representing both fighters, and secondly, the understanding of boxing’s history and politics. It was expected that not only would the fight fail to materialize, but we would also be subjected to months of false hopes and unnecessary detours before ending up back where we started, with no additional knowledge gained.
And indeed, that’s how it unfolded. It is now established, as of April 4, 2024, that Azim and Smith won’t have the opportunity to meet in the near future, despite both sides expressing their interest in arranging the fight at different times. Instead of Azim versus Smith, we can look forward to witnessing a match between Azim and Harlem Eubank – a decent alternative, I must say. On the other hand, Smith, who demonstrated an impressive victory over Jose Zepeda in just five rounds, will likely have another opponent lined up before the summer.
That’s perfectly alright. Keep in mind, Azim is only 22 years old and has participated in just 11 professional fights. Although he held the European super-lightweight title at one point, which he has now relinquished, there is still a great deal for the Slough man to learn. The best part is that he has plenty of time to acquire this knowledge.
Smith, on the other hand, shares a similar disposition and is not in a hurry either. Despite being 27 years old, older than Azim, and boasting an impressive professional record of 16-0, he has only recently gained recognition and secured noteworthy victories that have captured the interest of individuals beyond Great Britain. One such victory, his triumph over Zepeda, undoubtedly caught the attention of many, as did his previous knockout of Sam Maxwell. Prior to these accomplishments, Smith exhibited his prowess by enduring 12 rounds against Billy Allington and Kaisee Benjamin while defending his British super-lightweight championship.
Dalton Smith (George Wood/Getty Images)
In an ideal scenario, British contenders would convene to establish their rankings before pursuing grander objectives. However, there is no urgency for Smith and Azim in particular. Interestingly, the discontent surrounding this fight and the incessant discussion surrounding it primarily stems from suspicion and the perception that despite the hype, historical patterns suggest it is unlikely to occur in the near future.
Let’s consider Sunday night as an example. Azim and Harlem Eubank came face to face, discussing the potential of a future fight at an undecided location. Simultaneously, in another part of the venue, Dalton Smith, who has been associated with Azim for a while, had previously engaged with Florian Marku.
The revelation of Azim vs. Harlem Eubank as the upcoming fight left many fans confused and even disillusioned. While fans had eagerly anticipated an Azim vs. Smith match, the sudden announcement of Azim vs. Eubank was unexpected and lacked the same level of excitement. This not to say that Azim vs. Eubank is a poor fight, in fact, it is quite the opposite. However, the announcement of this fight highlighted the fact that Azim vs. Smith, a highly anticipated matchup that had been teased for a long time, was merely an illusion that was never truly addressed.
Azim’s next encounter features Harlem Eubank, as depicted in this image by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images.
Once again, pride is the root cause of this situation. If pride didn’t exist, both parties would communicate with honesty. For instance, Ben Shalom, Azim’s promoter, wouldn’t declare to the world that he has complete faith in Azim defeating Smith in their upcoming fight, while also admitting in the same breath that Azim’s chances of victory significantly improve if the fight is delayed (a common occurrence in matches between undefeated fighters on their rise to the top).
It is completely normal to have these thoughts and openly express them. However, what often frustrates fans is when it is suggested that a fight could happen soon, even though the overall plan, which prioritizes safety and is known only to the fighter and their team, does not involve this particular fight at all.
The delay in the Smith and Azim fight cannot be justified. If it weren’t for the EBU’s intervention, the decision to allow more time for the fight to gain momentum would have been seen as a clever and obvious choice. However, it is important to note that this is not a clash between long-standing champions who have built their reputations over the years. With only 27 fights combined and few notable victories, the hype surrounding this fight has inflated its significance. Much of this hype stems from the fact that the fighters are promoted by different promoters who are known for their frequent appearances in front of cameras and their outspokenness. Consequently, the fight between Smith and Azim has become a battle between Eddie Hearn (Matchroom) and Ben Shalom (Boxxer), as well as a competition between DAZN and Sky Sports. While this can contribute to the promotion of the fight, it is crucial to remember that ultimately, it is Smith and Azim who will enter the ring and bear the responsibility of delivering a thrilling match.
Adam Azim assaults Santos Reyes, as captured by Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer.
Currently, it is difficult to determine the potential success or magnitude of the fight. The focus of its promotional efforts has mainly revolved around the unlikelihood of its occurrence, which is quite unusual. Beyond the realm of social media, it would be challenging to find individuals in the real world who are familiar with Azim or Smith, let alone witnessed their boxing skills.
The truth is, with Smith on DAZN, and Azim on Sky Sports, the fractured nature of this so-called rivalry only hinders the effort to build it; something both sides will have to concede. This is one of the reasons why comparing it to a fight like George Groves vs. James DeGale, perhaps the all-British battle of prospects, doesn’t make sense. Unlike Smith and Azim, Groves and DeGale were Londoners very much aligned and on course to meet, despite them being prematurely ordered to do so by the British Boxing Board of Control. Added to this, their rivalry stretched back to when they were both children and gym mates, meaning there was no shortage of either animosity or story when it came to flogging the thing. They were also characters, let’s not forget; big personalities. Compelling enough on their own, Groves and DeGale were made all the more interesting when brought together, at which point it became clear their honesty was greater than even their pride. In other words, they were interesting, as a couple, because we believed everything they said. We believed their motive for taking the fight; we believed their desperation to win it; and we believed the overall urgency of the situation.
Azim vs. Smith does not share the same outcome.
