Adam Azim took the vacant IBO super lightweight title at Wembley Arena, breaking down former world champion Sergey Lipinets for a superb ninth round stoppage win.
Azim (13-0, KO10) was making another step-up in class, with his last appearance against Ohara Davies last October, where he secured an eighth round knockout victory. Lipinets (18-4-1, 13 KOs) briefly reigned as IBF champion and was last out in May 2024, dropping Robbie Davies Jr three times on the way to a points win.
Azim worked well to the body in the third, and a left hand on the back foot flattened the off-balance visitor.
Lipinets beat the count, but was under heavy fire on the resumption, making the bell to end the round.
The ’Samurai’ was attempting to close the distance, but the home favourite kept finding the room to wing in punches, but he strayed too low in the fourth and was docked a point.
The 22-year-old was going through a repertoire of power punches, but Lipinets was holding firm, although he was docked another point in round seven for another low blow.
Azim put his punches together beautifully in the eighth, landing some spiteful uppercuts, and he was pouring the pressure on, with the volume of punches draining the 35-year-old’s resources.
‘The Assassin’ began round nine by teeing off on Lipinets, sensing the end was nigh, and a single, superbly executed right uppercut froze Lipinets momentarily, and referee Steve Gray stopped the contest.
Simpson stops Ahorgah
On the undercard, Callum Simpson warmed up for what he hopes will be another stadium fight later this year at his beloved Barnsley FC by defending his Commonwealth super middleweight title in a fifth round win against Elvis Ahorgah.
Simpson (17-0, 12 KOs) had boxed only three weeks previously, as he defended his British and Commonwealth belts in just two rounds against Steed Woodall, but was made to work by the erratic Ahorgah (13-3, 12 KOs), who was unpredictable in his attacks.
The home favourite eventually caught up with the Ghanaian, and in the fifth, a mixture of heavy head and body shots forced the visitor to the canvas, and the referee wasn’t willing to let him continue, as he rose unsteadily.
Forrest stunned by Ignat
Scott Forrest suffered an upset, as fellow unbeaten Aurel Ignat took a devastating win inside a round of their cruiserweight contest set for eight.
Ignat (9-0, 8 KOs) caught Forrest (7-1, 4 KOs) high on the head with a left hook, and a frenzied follow-up assault forced the referee to intervene.
WOW! Aurel Ignat stops Scott Forrest in the first round! 😱 #AzimLipinets – Live Now pic.twitter.com/egWnNFhJg8
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) February 1, 2025
TKV halts Webster
Jeamie TKV (8-1, 5 KOs) took a war of attrition, and the vacant IBO International heavyweight title, by forcing Michael Webster to retire after the ninth round of a scheduled ten.
Webster (10-3, 6 KOs) was bloodied and fading by the time his corner removed him from battle.
Remaining Undercard
Lucas Roehrig (2-0, 2 KOs) won his cruiserweight clash with Milosav Savic (9-9-1, 7 KOs) via stoppage, dropping his man three times in round three before completing the win in the same round.
Welterweight hope Joel Kodua (8-0, 1 KO) scored an impressive first early win, as he dropped Lloyd Germain (9-3, 1 KO) three times on the way to a superb third round stoppage win.
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In six rounders, Congolese super welterweight Emmany Kalombo (19-1, 18 KOs) wiped out Sergio Garcia Herrera (7-7, 4 KOs) with a body shot right at the end of the opening round of their meeting.
At super flyweight, Alfie Clegg (11-0-1, 2 KOs) won all six rounds against Sebastian Alejandro Castillo (7-5-1, 3 KOs).
In four round affairs, Hassan Azim (8-0, 4 KOs) won all four rounds in his middleweight clash with Jensen Irving (4-20-2) and super middleweight prospect Garan Croft (2-0, 1 KO) did the same against Dmitri Protkunas (8-17-1, 1 KO).
